Men's, women's teams hold Community 5K

The IU women's cross country team's 2005 season will be underway Friday as the Hoosiers play host to the IU Community 5K. The team is one of five Big Ten teams to begin action this weekend and one of three to host their own event.\nNot only does the race provide the team with its first competitive format in months, but also invites the local Bloomington community to \nparticipate. \nThe meet is also the first chance for the freshmen to sport an Indiana uniform and run a college course. \nSenior Kelly Siefker agrees on the importance of the race, especially for the younger \nrunners. \n"We are starting this season at the IU Community 5K to get some of the racing 'jitters' out of the way and to give some of our younger girls the opportunity to see what they can do on our course," Siefker said.\nFreshman Wendi Robinson is expected to help contribute to the team immediately. \n"I think the race will be a really good opportunity to run the course in meet conditions," Robinson said. "We have several home races this year, and it will help to have as much knowledge about the course as possible."\nHead coach Judy Wilson's Hoosiers look to be on track for another strong campaign after a 2004 season that resulted in fifth and fourth place finishes in the Big Ten Conference and Great Lakes Regional meets, respectively. The team also received one of thirteen at large bids to nationals, accomplishing this feat for the third straight year. \nThis Hoosiers are led by All-American junior Jessica Gall. She heads a veteran group of athletes that return five of its top six runners. \n"I think we have the best team chemistry of any of the years since I've been here, and that will take us a long way," Gall said. "We have big goals for this season, and this meet on Friday is the kick-off to one of the best-ever seasons of IU women's cross country."\nThe race will be held on IU's championship course located on the University golf course and is set to start at 6 p.m., with both men and women competing together.