YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University Women's Cross Country team will head to Three Rivers, Mich. Friday, Sept. 17, to run in the George Dales Invitational at 4:30 p.m.

The Eagles were idle last week, after opening up the season at the 5,000m Michigan Open on Sept. 3. Courtney Calka (Livonia, Mich.-Stevenson) continued to build upon an already impressive early career, taking first place with a time of 17:42.0. Sophomore Morgan Churchwell (Ada, Mich.-Forest Hills Central) was the next Eagle to cross the finish line at 18:59.25, good for 10th place in the event.

At the George Dales Invite, the Eagles will get the opportunity to run on the same course designated for the 2010 Mid-American Conference Championship. This poses as a great opportunity for EMU, according to Head Coach Sue Parks.

“It is an important meet that will allow us to set the tone and show how we want to compete,” said Parks. “You want to have a good feel for the course that you will run on in the big meet later in the season.”

EMU will look to improve upon last season's finish, where the Green and White placed second at the George Dales Invite. Calka set the 6K course record, finishing first with a time of 21:49.26, and Rachel Hollinger-Janzen (Goshen, Ind.-Goshen) finished fourth (22:50.2).