Sept. 7, 2004

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Several Big Ten Men's Cross Country teams will be in action once again this weekend.  Iowa's Matt Esche has earned Runner of the Week accolades from the Conference office as well.

MEN
Matt Esche, Iowa
SR, Waukesha, Wis./West

Esche claimed victory in Iowa's season opener against Eastern Illinois last week, with a time of 18:45 in the 6,000-meter race.  The Hawkeye senior beat out teammate Eric MacTaggart by two seconds (18:47) for the win.  In 2003, Esche earned all-region honors after placing 10th at the NCAA Midwest Regional (31:26).

WOMEN
Jessica Gall, Indiana
SO, West Lafayette, Ind./West Lafayette

After redshirting last season, Gall opened up the 2004 season with a first-place finish at the 5,000-meter Indiana Open last weekend. The Indiana sophomore turned in a time of 18:32, which was more than a minute faster than the second-place finisher.  While Gall sat out the 2003 cross country season, she bounced back in indoor and outdoor track, posting the fifth-fastest outdoor track 10K time (35:14) at the Big Ten Championships.