WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY INKS RECRUIT

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Heather Stembridge became the first member of the 2004-05 recruiting class for head coach John Gartland as she signed a National Letter-of-Intent to run cross country and track for Indiana State today.

Stembridge is a distance runner from Evansville Central High School.

Accomplishments: Stembridge finished sixth in last spring’s state track meet in the 1600-meter run finishing 5:09.07. She also qualified for the 2003 state meet in the 3200 meters. At last spring’s Evansville Regional Track Meet, she was a double-champion, setting personal bests of 5:08.42 in the 1600 and 11:17.24 in the 3200. During the 2003 cross country season, Heather had an outstanding year. She was the Evansville Sectional individual champion in October, running 15:30 for the 4K distance. After finishing second in the Pike Central Regional in 14:44, she came roaring back to win the Terre Haute Semi-State. In that race, she dominated a strong field to win in 14:28 on the LaVern Gibson course. She culminated her senior year in cross country by finishing 14th in the state meet in 14:44. Stembridge was selected for the Indiana Mid-East All-Star Team, which competes in Dayton, Ohio, this weekend.

Gartland on Stembridge:“I am really pleased that Heather has decided to sign with us. She is one of the top senior distance runners in Indiana. I saw her semi-state victory, and I thought that was one of the most dominating performances ever on the Gibson course. She will come in next year and immediately contend for one of the top spots on our cross country team.”