Wisconsin earns berth to NCAA cross country championship
November 12, 2016 | Women's Cross Country
Badgers finished third at Friday’s NCAA Great Lakes Regional to qualify for at-large spot
MADISON, Wis. – After finishing third at Friday's NCAA Great Lakes Regional, the Wisconsin women's cross country team has earned an at-large berth to the 2016 NCAA Cross Country Championship, the NCAA announced Saturday afternoon.
The Badgers are one of 13 teams that earned an at-large selection to the Nov. 19 meet in Terre Haute, Indiana. Following Friday's regional meets, 18 teams had already earned automatic berths after finishing in first or second place.
"After Big Tens, we felt our women had a shot of making the NCAA meet if they had a really good day at regionals," UW Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Mick Byrne said. "We felt the door was open and there was an opportunity if we could just get out there and compete well against Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame and Eastern Michigan.
"Our women competed like they wanted to be in Terre Haute as they executed Coach (Jill) Miller's plan to perfection and now they are on their way to the national championship."
Thanks to placing four runners in the top 20, UW finished third behind No. 5 Michigan and No. 14 Notre Dame, but finished ahead of No. 22 Michigan State (due to a tiebreaker) and No. 13 Eastern Michigan.
"Right from the gun, our top three of Michele Lee, Amy Davis and Sarah Disanza looked like they were on a mission," Byrne said. "They stayed composed and focused throughout the race and it was exciting to see true freshman Alicia Monson run so well with this group and finish in 11th. Shaelyn Sorensen, who struggled in the middle of the season with an injury, provided solid backup as our fifth scorer."
Wisconsin was one of four teams from the Big Ten to qualify for the NCAA meet, joining Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State.
It marks the 27th time in program history that UW has qualified for the NCAA meet. The Badgers will now race for their third possible NCAA title in school history after earning the national crown in 1984 and 1985.
"All year long, this team believed in their coaches and in themselves," Byrne said. "They worked hard, took no short-cuts and live the right lifestyle to set themselves up for success.
"At NCAAs anything is possible and its rewarding to have our women join the men's team in Terre Haute.
"We are very excited about this group's future."
Thanks to a men's victory at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional on Friday, Wisconsin was one of 14 programs to qualify both their men's and women's teams to the NCAA championship meet at the Lavern Gibson Championship Course.
The UW women will race a six-kilometer course at 10 a.m. CT on Nov. 19 before the men compete in a 10-kilometer race at 11 a.m. Both races will be shown live on NCAA.org.
The Badgers are one of 13 teams that earned an at-large selection to the Nov. 19 meet in Terre Haute, Indiana. Following Friday's regional meets, 18 teams had already earned automatic berths after finishing in first or second place.
"After Big Tens, we felt our women had a shot of making the NCAA meet if they had a really good day at regionals," UW Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Mick Byrne said. "We felt the door was open and there was an opportunity if we could just get out there and compete well against Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame and Eastern Michigan.
"Our women competed like they wanted to be in Terre Haute as they executed Coach (Jill) Miller's plan to perfection and now they are on their way to the national championship."
Thanks to placing four runners in the top 20, UW finished third behind No. 5 Michigan and No. 14 Notre Dame, but finished ahead of No. 22 Michigan State (due to a tiebreaker) and No. 13 Eastern Michigan.
"Right from the gun, our top three of Michele Lee, Amy Davis and Sarah Disanza looked like they were on a mission," Byrne said. "They stayed composed and focused throughout the race and it was exciting to see true freshman Alicia Monson run so well with this group and finish in 11th. Shaelyn Sorensen, who struggled in the middle of the season with an injury, provided solid backup as our fifth scorer."
Wisconsin was one of four teams from the Big Ten to qualify for the NCAA meet, joining Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State.
It marks the 27th time in program history that UW has qualified for the NCAA meet. The Badgers will now race for their third possible NCAA title in school history after earning the national crown in 1984 and 1985.
"All year long, this team believed in their coaches and in themselves," Byrne said. "They worked hard, took no short-cuts and live the right lifestyle to set themselves up for success.
"At NCAAs anything is possible and its rewarding to have our women join the men's team in Terre Haute.
"We are very excited about this group's future."
Thanks to a men's victory at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional on Friday, Wisconsin was one of 14 programs to qualify both their men's and women's teams to the NCAA championship meet at the Lavern Gibson Championship Course.
The UW women will race a six-kilometer course at 10 a.m. CT on Nov. 19 before the men compete in a 10-kilometer race at 11 a.m. Both races will be shown live on NCAA.org.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
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