Red Wolves - IU East

"The Finish At The Fort" is just the start for the Indiana University East cross country program.

Red Wolves cross country runners Zach Burns and Nicole House will take part in the NAIA Cross Country National Championships on Nov. 21 at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site in Vancouver, Wash.

Burns and House are the first runners to qualify for the NAIA National Championships in the IU East cross country program's two-year history.

IU East coach Pam Mertz sees Burns and House as cross country pioneers charting a course for future Red Wolves runners to follow.

"I am looking forward to taking runners to the national level," Mertz said. "It will be a great experience for our young program.

"I believe IU East will be a part of the nationals for years to come. We have set our goal of winning our conference next year and taking a complete team to nationals in 2010."

The NAIA National Championships field includes more than 600 runners representing about 150 NAIA institutions.

The 8K men's race starts at 1:30 p.m. (Indiana time). The 5K women's race starts at 2:45 p.m. (Indiana time).

Carison Kemei of McKendree led all men's runners at NAIA conference and qualifying meets across the nation with an 8K mark of 24:11. Burns' personal best is 26:34.

Dallon Williams of California State-San Marcos led all women's runners at NAIA conference and qualifying meets across the nation with an 5K mark of 16:55. House's personal best is 21:30.

The Red Wolves' representatives will run for personal bests. House hopes to post a time lower than 21:00. Burns has a goal of 25:30. Burns also hopes to finish in the top 100.

"Both Nicole and Zach are ready to lower the school records," Mertz said.

The NAIA National Championship race will be just part of the national meet experience for Burns and House.

The Red Wolves will attend the Nike Champions Banquet in the Tiger Woods Center at the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Ore., on Nov. 20. The event will include an inspirational video. Running legend Alberto Salazar, a former collegiate and U.S. cross country champion who later won three consecutive New York City Marathons, will be the keynote speaker.

"I'm excited to go to the banquet and see the Nike headquarters," House said.

Burns and House also will take in the scenery in the area around a course almost 2,000 miles from the IU East campus. They won't be able to see Canada - House doesn't have a passport - but they hope to see landmarks such as Mt. St. Helens.

"I've never been to Washington before, and it will be nice to see some new scenery," Burns said.

Click here to read the preview in the Richmond Palladium-Item.