|
| Both Pioneer teams earned national bids |
Posted 11/12/07
The UW-Platteville men's and women's cross country teams earned at-large berths to the 2007 NCAA Division III national championships, which will be Saturday, Nov. 17 in Northfield, Minn.
The women were third in the NCAA III Midwest Regional Saturday in Winneconne, Wis., while the men were fifth in their race. The top two teams in the region automatically qualified for nationals, and 16 more teams earned at-large bids.
"For the men, it's our fifth time in eight years we've qualified, so we're really showing some consistency on the national level," Pioneer Coach Tom Antczak said. "For the women, it's our first time ever. We've been creeping up each year, and this year we made it. With only one senior in our top eight, we hope to continue that. We're really excited about that."
Tyler Sigl will headline the race for the Pioneers. He is yet to be defeated by an NCAA III runner this year, and won his third straight Midwest Regional championship Saturday in a school record 24:02. He is the first three-time winner in the ultra-competitive Midwest Region.
"Tyler looked just awesome again," Antczak said. "He was in control all the way. The course conditions were perfect, and he controlled the race. He has not been pushed this year, so it will be very interesting to see what happens this weekend."
He will be joined by Jason Garvens, Nick Fulton, Tony Kilburg, Cameron Klein, Patrick Klein, Austen Scudder and Aaron Whalen. Seven of the eight will run the race. Garvens did not race in the regionals because of an injury.
The women runners will be Trista Baye, Emma Dreis, Hannah Klinger, Eileen McGuine, Jessica Scott, Alli Tank, and senior Lindsey Vick. Qynne Kelly will serve as the alternate.
The men's top national finish came in 2000, when the Pioneers were 10th in the country.
"I'm sure the guys will drop somewhat in in the rankings to the mid-teens after the regional race, and the women should stay in the top 10," Antczak said. "Our goal is to aways go in and beat our national ranking. If we do that, we'll be pretty darn happy."
Related Links