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Relay to Raise Donations, Benefit Troops Overseas

The Men`s and Women`s Notre Dame Cross Country teams are warming up for their 1st Annual 24 hour relay which will be held this Saturday, June 24th. This year`s relay will benefit both the Cross Country team and Soldier` Angels, a non-profit dedicated to supporting our troops serving overseas in the War on Terror. Jim Schweickert, Notre Dame`s Head cross country`s coach, said he "wanted to do a fund raiser this summer. Since we had had success with this type of fund raiser at another institution, it just seemed like the right event for us."

Besides raising money for the cross country team, Schweickert wanted to split the donations they received with another organization. Schweickert said "I left the decision up to the team and they chose Soldiers` Angels." The team chose Soldiers` Angels because two members of the Notre Dame Cross Country team are veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Dan Tillman, a sophomore from Beachwood, Ohio and Steve Scott a freshman from Avoca, Michigan both served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. While Scott was deployed he received care packages and mail from the organization.

Each team member obtained pledges based on the number of miles they will run in the relay. Runners in the relay will complete a mile and then hand off the baton to another runner for the next mile until 24 hours have been completed. The relay will be June 24, 2006 and begins at 9 am on the Notre Dame athletic field. Coach Schweickert said, "there is plenty of room for blankets and lawn chairs and encourages everyone to come watch and cheer on the runners."