Saturday, November 8, 2008

NCAA Division II Central Regional Men's Cross Country Results

            The Wayne State College men's cross country team finished in eighth place out of 21 teams with 237 points Saturday at the NCAA Division II Central Regional Cross Country Championships held in Kearney, Nebraska. The Wildcats did have a national qualifier as senior Nate Preston placed 12^th overall and has qualified for the NCAA Division II National Cross Country Championships for a second straight season.

            In the team standings, Adams State of Colorado topped Western State 33-52 for the team title.  Minnesota State was third at 108 points followed by Colorado Mines (115) and Metro State in fifth with 135 points.  UC-Colorado Springs was sixth at 205 points to round out the six teams from the Central Regional that advance to nationals.

            “The team ran to the best of their potential running the best race of the season, but it fell a little short in what has to be the toughest region in NCAA Division II,” commented WSC head coach Marlon Brink on the Wildcats' eighth place team finish.

            Preston, a senior from Omaha Benson, finished 12^th out of 138 runners on the 10,000 meter course with a time of 31:54 to lead Wayne State College.  “Nate ran a great individual race,” added Coach Brink.  “He has made it back to nationals and gives him another chance of making All-American, something that he is capable of.”

            Sophomore John Kern was next for the Wildcats in 42^nd place overall with a time of 33:24 followed by senior Cheto Cerda in 54^th place at 33:44.  Sophomore York Thomas came in 62^nd place in a time of 33:55, Matt Schneider was 67^th at 34:06, Matt Seiler finished 96^th place at 35:40 and Lee Anderson was 109^th in 36:37 to round out Wayne State runners.

            Nate Preston will now advance to the NCAA Division II National Cross Country Championships in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania on Saturday, November 22.

2008 NCAA Division II Central Regional Men's Cross Country Team Standings

1. Adams State                        33           11. Minnesota Duluth               303

2. Western State                     52           12. Northern State                   304

3. Minnesota State                  108          13. St. Cloud State                  375

4. Colorado Mines                   115          14. Fort Lewis                         385

5. Metro State                          135          15. Univ. of Mary                     446

6. UC-Colo. Springs                 205          16. MSU Moorhead                  461

7. New Mexico Highlands       221          17. Western New Mexico       512

8. Wayne State College       237          18. Winona State                     548

9. Neb-Kearney                       268          19. Regis                                 579

10.Augustana (SD)                 270          20. Concordia, St. Paul            588         

                                                                21. Colorado Christian             617

 

WSC runners

Nate Preston – 12^th, 31:54

John Kern – 42^nd, 33:24

Cheto Cerda – 54^th, 33:44

York Thomas – 62^nd, 33:55

Matt Schneider – 67^th, 34:06

Matt Seiler – 96^th, 35:40

Lee Anderson – 109^th, 36:37