Oct. 10, 2007

DeKALB, Ill. - The Northern Illinois cross country team will see league competition two weeks before the Mid-American Conference Championships, when the Huskies race at the George Dales Invitational in Kalamazoo, Mich. Friday.

Northern Illinois will face MAC member Western Michigan, the event's host, as well as IPFW and division III member John Carroll at the five-kilometer meet.

"This race will give us some indication of where we are at relative to another MAC team," head cross country coach Mark McConeghey said.

The timing for an in-conference comparison couldn't be better for the Huskies, who will compete in the MAC Championships two weeks after the George Dales Invite. As the championships near, McConeghey is preparing his team both physically and mentally.

"We're lowering the mileage now to get ready for conference," McConeghey said. "I also think (the athletes) think that they are better than they were last year. They have a more confident attitude."

Individually, it's tough to pick out the team's top runner, as both junior Meghan Ginter (Aurora, Ill./Waubonsie Valley) and freshman Sunsea Shaw (South Bend, Ind./Riley) have been the Huskies' top finisher this season. In addition, Mia Supanich-Winter (Libertyville, Ill./Marquette) and Denisse Valladares (Mt. Propsect, Ill./Arlington Heights Hershey) have impressed McConeghey.

"Denisse is running really well in practice," he said. "Her history has been injury, eight months off, but she's now had her first full healthy year."

The second year head coach also also noted Supanich-Winter's ability to overcome a foot injury that has slowed her training this season.

"I don't think her foot is any worse or any better," he said. "But she's close to the first group now, and getting closer all the time."

The Huskies begin their final race before the MAC Championships Friday at 5:15 p.m. Results from the meet will be posted at www.niuhuskies.com.