ROMEOVILLE - Lewis University will feature a relatively youthful women's cross country team in 2004 as six of the 10 Flyers on the roster are underclassmen.

The team's top returner is sophomore Juliann Szablewski, who finished a solid 17th at last year's GLVC Championship. Seniors Tarah Sobodas, Traci Hoglund, Belinda Hawkins and Erin White, and sophomore Amanda Hammond also return.

Head coach Bob Schultz is counting on a significant contribution from freshman Terran Wertz, the Iowa state runner-up a year ago and a multiple all-state performer in cross country and track.

"We're continuing our rebuilding plan, and I think we're on the right track," Schultz said. "Our goals are to finish in the top half of the GLVC and in the top half of the region."