McInnis Sets Record, Headed for Nationals

McInnis clocked a time of 37:15.06 in the 10,000 meters at the Chicagoland Championships in Naperville. She is now ranked third in the nation and shattered the previous Viking record of 37:51.25 set by Grace Conrad in 2004.

“Shannon has been battling a major sinus infection so it makes her feat all the more impressive,” said coach Tracey Murnane.

McInnis established herself as the race leader at the start and no one ever challenged her. “Shannon is an extremely gutsy runner – to take the lead the way she did on a windy day often takes it’s toll in the longer races, but Shannon stayed consistent throughout the race,” Murnane said.

In other sports news:

• Although the soccer season finished months ago, the honors for the women’s team continue to come in. The team was ranked No. 18 among the most improved teams in Division III. The team finished the 2005 season 12-7-1. In 2004, the Vikings struggled with a 6-10-3 record.
• Academic honors continue to be bestowed, as well. Senior Abbie Frank, who recorded 10 goals, 8 assists and 28 points on the year, earned ESPN Academic All-American Second Team honors. Frank is also a CCIW Jack Swartz Academic All Conference honoree for fall 2005. To receive this award, a student athlete must carry a 3.5 grade point average, have earned a letter in a conference sport during the past season, and be enrolled as a full-time student for at least one year. Only one male and one female athlete are honored with this award each season.
• Five other team members received CCIW Academic All-Conference honors. They were seniors Melanie Morgan, Erin Neises and Carly Thomforde, junior Laura Klein and sophomore Kristin Ourada.
• The baseball team held on to fifth place in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, despite going 2-4 during the week. The Vikings are 9-14 overall and 5-3 in conference.
• The softball team dropped two games to conference opponent Carthage but still has recorded an overall winning record of 16-12, 0-4.