(Crookston, Minn.)- University of Minnesota, Crookston Hunt Seat Equestrian rider Paige Marek (Fr, St. Croix Falls, Wis.) is leaving for the American Polocrosse Association (APA) National Tournament in Illinois on Wednesday, September 30. Polocrosse is a mixture of lacrosse and polo. It has the same general rules of polo but the racket and play work of lacrosse.

"It is a huge deal especially this year because you not only have to qualify for it, but it is now open to the entire world," says Marek.

Marek will compete against athletes from South Africa, Australia and Canada. She played on the United States Junior team for two years prior and competed all over the world. Marek is also the only athlete on the team from the north and her family is only one of three families in the area that play polocrosse. She plays the number three position which is a defending position.

The honors do not stop here for Paige Marek. This summer she will prepare with the official world cup team, which is made up of the top seven players in the world either male or female, for the 2011 World Cup which will be hosted by the United Kingdom.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics Web site at http://www.goldeneaglesports.com/.

The University of Minnesota, Crookston is a NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).

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Photo Caption: Paige Marek