WOMEN'S: IU hopes to place 3 runners in top-60

The IU women's cross country team will be planning to run as hard as the solid November ground tonight in Terre Haute at the NCAA Championships.\n"I just want them to cross the finish line and have nothing left at all," said IU coach Judy Wilson. "Championships call for championship performances."\nWilson said she is confident if her team has a great day, it could place in the top 15, placing its top three runners in the top 60 with the following two placing around 150.\nSophomore Jessica Gall, who is a member of the Hoosiers' top three, said she is confident in her team because every Hoosier running has previous nationals experience.\n"I think we're a lot more comfortable in this position," Gall said.\nJunior Kelly Siefker, who is the second member of the top three, shared Gall's sentiments.\n"We know we've been there," she said. "So it's like we're expecting it more now."\nRounding out the top trio is sophomore Kristin Whitezell, followed by junior Lindsay Hattendorf and senior Larra Overton.\nWilson said she is impressed by the recent performances of her number four and five runners because they both have been struggling with injuries all year and have both been confined to 40 miles a week. Wilson said there is a little bit of a gap in between them and the front three, and a sub-150 showing from them is important.\nSeniors Mindy Peterson and Julie Shields will be the final two runners in the race for the Hoosiers.\nThe race will be run on Indiana State University's LaVern Gibson Championship course with the women running first at 11:15 a.m. The course is located at the Wabash Valley Family Sports Center in Terre Haute.\nThe Hoosiers earned a third straight appearance at the meet this year as one of the 13 at-large teams selected. Eighteen other teams, who received automatic bids for placing in the top two of their regional meets, will be competing as well.\n-- Contact staff writer Andy Romey at aromey@indiana.edu.