The super sophomore took second overall last year in her first collegiate race at the Bradley Open behind teammate Jodi Jakubek. So how good can Cassie Peller be, and how is she going to get there?

Hailing from Valparaiso, Ind., Peller returned home for the summer.

"I live near a lot of dunes so I was running them six days a week," she said. "I trained hard so I'm just looking to be up there with Jodi and Michaela (Courtney) every time."

Peller, a first team All-State selection for two years at Chesterton in high school, made solid contributions to the Golden Eagles as a freshman. Her second place finish at the Bradley Open was complimented with solid finishes for the remainder of the season.

Peller had finishes of 11th, 17th, 31st and 33rd at the Conference USA Championship. She finished 89th and 116th at the NCAA Championships. Her first season in Conference USA was her last, and she is ready for the challenge in the Big East.

"Being in a conference with some of those girls will motivate us to work even harder, and cross country is all about the team, not the individual," Peller said. "So together I think the motivation will bring us together to compete at a high level in the Big East."

Head coach David Uhrich expects big things from Peller this year. Although he was very pleased with her freshman campaign, Uhrich believes Peller is just scratching the surface. He will find out when Marqutte's season begins Friday.

This article was published in The Marquette Tribune on September 8, 2005.