UW-Oshkosh To Host WIAC Men's Cross Country Championship

UW-Oshkosh is among four nationally ranked teams that will perform at the WIAC Men's Cross Country Championship on Saturday (Oct. 31) at the Lake Breeze Golf Club in Winneconne.

The Titans, who are hosting the 55th edition of the championship for the first time since 2007, enter the eight-team meet ranked 20th in the NCAA Division III by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. UW-Eau Claire is the top-ranked team in the country, while UW-La Crosse lists eighth and UW-Stevens Point 11th.

Saturday's 8,000-meter race is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. and will be preceded by a women's 6,000-meter championship race at 12 p.m.

Last year, UW-Eau Claire claimed its second championship trophy in program history – and first since 1980 – with 36 points. UW-La Crosse finished second with 47 points, while UW-Platteville placed third with 99, UW-Oshkosh fourth with 106, UW-Stout fifth with 124, UW-Stevens Point sixth with 142, UW-Whitewater seventh with 191, former league member UW-Superior eighth with 221 and UW-River Falls ninth with 264.

Individually, UW-Eau Claire's Josh Thorson will aim for a second straight first-place finish.

UW-Oshkosh senior Jordan Carpenter returns to the championship after finishing third last year and 17th in 2013.

Joining Carpenter in Saturday's meet are four other Titans who competed at last year's championship. Joe Zack finished 20th for UW-Oshkosh a year ago, while Charlend Howard placed 26th, Roberto Lara 53rd and Trevor Damkot 89th.

The Titans' 12-person lineup is also expected to include Wal Khat, Brian McKnight, Mitch Pauers, Ken Peters, Jacob Rost, Fabian Salinas and Justin Skinkis.

This year's meet also includes nine other runners who earned All-WIAC awards at previous conference championships. They are UW-Eau Claire's Christian Leitner (14th in 2013, sixth in 2014), Ryan Mugan (fifth in 2013, second in 2014), Steven Schimmel (18th in 2014), Nick Petersson (13th in 2013) and Darin Lau (ninth in 2014); UW-La Crosse's Tom Linner (14th in 2012, 15th in 2013, 10th in 2014) and Jonah Weisse (eighth in 2014); UW-Platteville's Ian LaMere (11th in 2012, fifth in 2014); and UW-Stout's Tony Cass (12th in 2014).

UW-La Crosse owns 32 of the 54 WIAC titles, while UW-Oshkosh follows with 10, UW-Stevens Point with five and UW-Platteville with four. UW-La Crosse and UW-Oshkosh tied for the championship in 1992.

The top seven runners in the meet receive All-WIAC first team recognition, while runners placing eight through 14 earn All-WIAC second team accolades. Individuals finishing 15 through 20 claim honorable mention laurels.

All eight WIAC teams will participate at the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional on Nov. 14 at the Saukie Golf Course in Rock Island, Ill. UW-Oshkosh will host the NCAA Division III Championship on Nov. 21 at the Lake Breeze Golf Club.

WIAC Cross Country Championships Program

WIAC Cross Country Championships Website • UW-Oshkosh's WIAC Cross Country Championships Website