Badger Cross Country Teams Prepare for NCAAs
November 18, 2002 | Women's Cross Country
Both the Wisconsin men's and women's cross country teams will compete at the 2002 NCAA Championships next Monday, Nov. 25 in Terre Haut, Ind. The UW men 's team automatically qualified for the meet by winning the Great Lakes Regional title while the women earned an at-large berth, announced Monday.
For the Badger men, ranked fourth in the latest poll, this will be their 31st consecutive appearance in the national championship meet. They have won three national championships (1982, 1985 and 1988) and have finished at least sixth in each of the last six years. Wisconsin's best finish under current head coach Jerry Schumacher was second in 1999. Last year the UW was fifth.
The UW women, currently ranked 29th, will be competing in their 18th NCAA championship. The Badgers won back-to-back NCAA titles under head coach Peter Tegen in 1984 and 1985. Wisconsin did not qualify for NCAAs last year after having placed eighth in 2000.
In addition to winning the Great Lakes Regional title, the Wisconsin men won their fourth consecutive Big Ten championship. Sophomore Matt Tegenkamp won the individual title and led six Badgers that earned All-Big Ten recognition. The Badger women, who were ranked as high as ninth this season, finished second at the Notre Dame Invitational and fourth at the Asics/Pacesetter Pre-nationals. They were fifth at Big Tens and sixth at the Great Lakes Regional.
