UW-Oshkosh Prepared For WIAC Championship

The UW-Oshkosh men’s and women’s cross country teams will run at the WIAC Championship on Saturday (Nov. 2) in River Falls. This is the 53rd edition of the men’s event and the 36th for the women.

The Titan men are striving for their second title in three years. UW-Oshkosh won the 2011 event before UW-La Crosse claimed the 2012 crown with 30 points. This year’s 8,000-meter race will be held at Kilkarney Hills Golf Course.

UW-Eau Claire listed second at the 2012 WIAC Championship with 89 points and was followed by UW-Platteville in third with 92, UW-Stevens Point fourth with 98, UW-Stout fifth with 105, UW-Oshkosh sixth with 117, UW-River Falls seventh with 212, UW-Whitewater eighth with 218 and UW-Superior ninth with 295.

Four teams are ranked among the finest in the NCAA Division III by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. UW-La Crosse lists fifth, while UW-Oshkosh stands 10th, UW-Eau Claire 11th and UW-Stout 27th.

The Titans have an experienced group that features Kenny Halloran, Derek Johnsrud and Sean Kutz. Halloran placed 16th at last year’s conference meet and Johnsrud ranked 29th. Kutz received All-WIAC recognition for his fifth-place finish during 2011.

UW-La Crosse’s Jacob Peterson and Nate Routhier will both be running for their third straight All-WIAC award. The Eagles’ David Stilin is also expected to compete for the title.

Women will be completing a 6,000-meter journey, with UW-Eau Claire aiming for its seventh straight title.

The Blugolds secured first place a season ago with 32 points to surpass UW-La Crosse’s second-place total of 69. UW-Oshkosh finished third with 71 points, UW-Stevens Point fourth with 90, UW-River Falls fifth with 135, UW-Whitewater sixth with 159, UW-Stout seventh with 168, UW-Platteville eighth with 256 and UW-Superior ninth with 270.

A pair of teams are ranked among the finest in the NCAA Division III by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. UW-La Crosse ranks 17th, while UW-Stevens Point is 25th.

UW-La Crosse’s Rachel Schroeder strives for her fourth consecutive All-WIAC finish. The Eagles’ Corissa Conard and UW-Stevens Point’s Julia Colling have earned all-league honors each of the last two seasons.

The Titans own three runners who finished in the top-40 at the 2012 WIAC Championship. Danica Harrison placed 31st with a time of 23:24, while Sonny Jenkins took 38th at 23:43 and Rhea Fiorita 40th at 23:45.

The top seven runners will receive All-WIAC first team recognition, while athletes placing eight through 14 earn All-WIAC second team accolades.

All teams will return to action on Nov. 16 to compete in the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional at Saukie Golf Course in Rock Island, Ill. The NCAA Division III Championship is scheduled for Nov. 23 in Hanover, Ind.