Men's Cross Country Wins Great Lakes Regional
November 10, 2007 | Men's Cross Country
The No. 4-ranked Wisconsin men's cross country team captured its 23rd NCAA Great Lakes Regional title on Saturday at the Indiana University Golf Course in Bloomington, Ind. The Badgers scored 68 points to claim a share of the title with Big Ten Conference rival Michigan, who also scored 68 points. This is Wisconsin's six consecutive Great Lakes title.
With the win, Wisconsin qualified for its 36th consecutive NCAA Championship. Since regional meets began being held in 1972, UW is the only school to qualify for all 36 NCAA championships.
Leading the way for the Badgers was junior Matt Withrow, who covered the 10,000-meter course in 30 minutes and 28.42 seconds to place second overall. This is the third meet this season the Big Ten Men's Cross Country Athlete of the Year has been Wisconsin 's top finisher.
Next for the Badgers was junior Christian Wagner, who finished ninth in 30:59.73. Sophomore Brandon Bethke finished only a few steps behind, capturing 10th place in a time of 31:03.31.
Freshmen Landon Peacock finished 17th in 31:18.92. Withrow, Wagner, Bethke and Peacock all earned all-region honors.
Rounding out the scoring for the Badgers was freshman Jack Bolas, who placed 30th in 31:44.54.
Also running for UW were sophomores Ryan Gasper and Craig Miller, who placed 33rd and 43rd, respectively, in times of 31:48.60 and 31:58.70.
The Badgers next compete at the 2006 NCAA Championship on Nov. 19 in Terre Haute, Ind. The men's race is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. on the LaVern Gibson Cross Country Course.
