Susan Kuijken looks set to lead the Seminoles into competition at the Pre-National meet.

Kuijken to open 2009 season

Oct. 15, 2009

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Florida State cross country teams head to Terre Haute, Ind. this weekend to begin the championship stretch of the season. The Seminoles will take part in the NCAA Pre-National Meet on the same course that the NCAA Championship races will be held in a little over five weeks.

"We have been working hard thru waves of illnesses, but the girls have been troopers dealing with these challenges. I have been really impressed with their persistence and faith," women's head coach Karen Harvey said.

The Seminole women will take their No. 11 national ranking into action at 12:20 p.m. on Saturday when they race in the blue race that will feature seven nationally-ranked teams, including three top 10 squads in Oregon (No. 4), Stanford (No. 6) and Iowa State (No. 7). FSU will send its top group to Terre Haute as senior Susan Kuijken is set to open her 2009 campaign.

Joining Kuijken will be All-American Pilar McShine, junior transfer Pasca Cheruiyot, freshmen Jessica Parry and Amanda Winslow, junior transfer Andrea Palen along with FSU Invitational winner Jennifer Dunn.

"We want to perform as a team Saturday, everyone running their best race for the team," Harvey added.

The men will also be facing a difficult task as they will battle with nine nationally-ranked squads, including four in the top 10. The Seminole men come into the weekend ranked No. 28 in the recent USTFCCCA poll and will take on No. 1 Stanford, No. 4 Colorado, No. 6 BYU, No. 8 Portland and a slew of other ranked teams.

The Seminoles will lean on a team mixed with experience and young talent as juniors Ciaran O'Lionard, Matt Leeder and Justin Harbor will join senior captain Daniel Roberts in leading the way. Freshman Wes Rickman along with sophomores Mike Fout and Nick Maedel will likely contribute as well for a deep Seminole squad.

"Our guys are really excited for Pre-Nationals," head coach Bob Braman said. "This is the first big step in trying to secure a spot for the National Championships. Wins we pick up here can put us in a great position for an at-large bid if we end up needing one at season's end."

The men's white race is scheduled to begin at 11:40 a.m. followed by the women's blue race at 12:20 p.m.