Titans Receive At-Large Bid To NCAA Championship

One of the major players in the history of the NCAA Division III Women's Cross Country Championship is back as UW-Oshkosh competes at the national spectacle for the 21st time in 24 years and 23rd time overall.

UW-Oshkosh received one of 16 at-large bids to this year's meet that will be held Saturday (Nov. 21) at the Highland Park Golf Course in Highland Hills, Ohio.

UW-Oshkosh's success at the meet is unprecedented. The Titans captured national titles in 1987, 1988, 1991 and 1996, while finishing second in the country in 1989, 1990 and 1995 and third in 1986, 1994 and 1998. UW-Oshkosh placed 18th at last year's championship with 405 points. UW-Oshkosh earned its invitation to this year's NCAA Division III Championship by finishing fourth at the Midwest Regional held last Saturday (Nov. 14) at the Lake Breeze Golf Club in Winneconne.

The Midwest Regional will be represented by four teams at the NCAA Division III Championship. UW-Eau Claire and Washington University (Mo.) earned automatic bids to the meet while UW-La Crosse and UW-Oshkosh received at-large selections. UW-Eau Claire is ranked second in the NCAA Division III by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, Washington University (Mo.) seventh, UW-La Crosse 10th and UW-Oshkosh 18th. Middlebury College (Vt.) is the defending national champion.

UW-Oshkosh's Ayla Mitchell (Sr. • New Richmond) is expected to contend for this year's individual national title. She finished third in the country last year and 13th in 2007. Other Titans expected to run on Saturday are Mallory Burk (Jr. • Athens), Allison Gehl (Jr. • Sherwood), Brittany Haas (Jr. • St. Charles, Ill.), McKenzie Kelly (Fr. • New Richmond), Cassie Petersen (Jr. • Marinette) and Jennifer Piskor (Jr. • Eagan, Minn.).

In all, 32 seven-person teams and 56 individuals will compete at this year's championship. The 6,000-meter race is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. (ET).