INDIANAPOLIS – After one of the most impressive seasons to date last year, the Greyhound Cross Country teams are looking to create similar success starting later this week. A big freshman class and several key veterans returning to Indianapolis create high expectations for the Greyhounds.

Lauren Bailey led the way for the women's team last year, being the GLVC Runner of the Week twice as the Greyhounds ran away with the GLVC Women's Cross Country title, their first since 1992. Indianapolis has already caught the eyes of many this preseason, receiving a vote in the USTFCCCA Top 25 poll. The USTFCCA placed the Greyhounds third among GLVC opponents, behind USI and SBU.

The women bring in six new Greyhounds to the roster, putting the group to 15 student-athletes total. The men have rallied eight new members to Indianapolis, counting them up to 27 total student-athletes. The excellent mix of both new and old have already meshed well in the preseason, as highlighted by both head coach Brad Robinson and senior Maisie Lay in the video linked above.

The returning depth that the Greyhounds bring this season are a substantial factor as why they are considered GLVC title contenders. Indianapolis has three women returning that placed in the top 20 at the GLVC Championships last year in Bailey (third; Jr.), Madison Vauters (18th; Jr.) and Melissa Spencer (19th; So.). The men highlight two of their own in Chris Switzer (fourth; So.) and Jacob Woodrow (18th; Jr.). The men placed fourth at the GVLC Championships last year, while placing five current Hounds in the NCAA Midwest Regional Championships. 

As the women eye a top five and the men look towards a top 10 finish in the Midwest Regional, the sights are set for a shot at the NCAA Championships in late November. The Greyhounds must take the season one kilometer at a time, starting at the Stegemoller Classic on Friday. The women's four kilometer race will commence at 6:50 p.m., while the men will follow at approximately 7:20 p.m. for the six kilometer event. The Stegemoller Classic will take place in Evansiville, Indiana.