Another difficult field awaits IU in South Bend

The saying "Our sport is your sport's punishment" is one commonly found on the back of a cross country runner's shirt. While some athletes shy away from the activity, those on the IU women's cross country team wouldn't dream of doing anything else. Despite the negative stereotype placed on running, a nationally recognized program like IU's cannot be ignored.\nThe Hoosiers will once again run on Indiana soil this weekend, but not in a home meet, as they travel north to South Bend to face their in-state rival, among others. The Notre Dame Invitational features 24 strong teams, including Butler University, Illinois, Michigan State, Purdue, Wisconsin, and national powers Michigan and host University of Notre Dame. \nComing off a highly disappointing race, the team looks to rebound with an effort-filled performance. \n"My goal for this weekend is to just come out and be a little bit more competitive -- maybe a lot more competitive than we were last weekend," IU head coach Judy Wilson said. The team also wants to prove itself at the meet and re-establish itself as a strong program.\nIn order to do this, the Hoosiers will have to contend with fellow regional and conference opponents vying for a limited amount of bids to nationals. \n"A big factor for us right now is beating teams within the conference and the region because that is the big determining factor for qualifying for the national meet," said senior Larra Overton. "Notre Dame and Michigan are in our region, and they have really strong programs, so I think if we can focus on positioning ourselves with the teams we're familiar with then that will be good for us."\nBy running on a home course that averages about 45 seconds to one minute slower than most courses, the Hoosiers anticipate fast times whenever they travel, and Notre Dame's course is no exception.\n"It's a flat, fast course. There are no hills on this Notre Dame course," junior Jessica Gall said. "The only thing that slows it down a little bit is that there are a lot of turns, but the footing is really good -- like running on a green track."\nThe Hoosiers' motivation and improved strategy are two other factors the team has picked up from last weekend's invitational. \n"Our strategy for this meet is to try and get out a little harder than we did last meet," Gall said, referring to IU's slow start in the Roy Griak Invitational.\nWilson wants the girls to completely forget about the past and focus on the moment at hand. \n"My strategy for them is four words: Don't think, just run," Wilson said.