Men's Cross Country Wins Great Lakes Regional
November 11, 2006 | Men's Cross Country
The No. 1-ranked Wisconsin men's cross country team captured its 22nd NCAA Great Lakes Regional title on Saturday at the Mel Brodt Cross Country Course on the Bowling Green State University campus. The Badgers, who scored 52 points to best No. 18 Notre Dame by 52 points, qualify for their 35th consecutive NCAA championship. This is Wisconsin 's fifth consecutive Great Lakes title.
Once again youth carried the day for the Badgers as four of Wisconsin's top five runners were underclassmen. Sophomore Stu Eagon led the way for Wisconsin, covering the 10,000-meter course in 31 minutes and 7.65 seconds to place fifth. This is the third meet this season Eagon has been Wisconsin's top finisher.
Senior Chris Solinsky finished only a step behind Eagon, placing sixth in 31:07.67. Next for the Badgers were a trio of freshmen, led by true freshman Craig Miller, who finished ninth in 31:25.71. Following close behind was Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Year Brandon Bethke, who placed 10th in 31:25.71. Rounding out the scoring for Wisconsin was freshman Andrew Lacy, who crossed the line in 31:49.52 to finish 22nd. All five UW runners earned all-region honors.
Senior Codie See (31:59.83) and junior Ben Porter (32:22.47) also ran for Wisconsin, placing 32nd and 47th, respectively.
The Badgers next compete at the 2006 NCAA Championship on Nov. 20 in Terre Haute, Ind. Wisconsin is the reigning NCAA champion and will be going for its second consecutive and fifth overall national title.
