Titans To Run For 16th WIAC Title

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire will serve as host of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Women’s Cross Country Championship at Whitetail Golf Course in Colfax, Wis., Oct. 30. This year’s meet will represent the 33rd gathering of conference members.

UW-Eau Claire is the three-time defending champion of the event and owns five league crowns. The Blugolds secured last year’s title with 29 points to top the second-place sum of 57 points by UW-La Crosse. UW-Oshkosh finished third with 71, UW-Stevens Point fourth with 111, UW-Platteville fifth with 151, UW-Whitewater sixth with 161, UW-River Falls seventh with 201 and UW-Stout eighth with 213. UW-Superior also competed, but did not accumulate a team score.

Three teams are ranked among the finest in the NCAA Division III based on the Oct. 25 rankings distributed by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. UW-Oshkosh ranks fifth to lead the WIAC trio, while UW-Eau Claire is 13th and UW-Stevens Point 29th. Both the Titans and Pointers could challenge the Blugolds for this year’s league crown. The Titans have claimed a WIAC-best 15 titles, while the Pointers own two first-place trophies.

Runners expected to compete for All-WIAC honors in this year’s 6,000-meter race are: UW-Eau Claire senior Margaret Ho, senior Elly Prunty and junior Alyssa Sybilrud; UW-La Crosse senior Rachel Boldt; UW-Oshkosh sophomore Christy Cazzola, senior Brittany Haas and senior Jennifer Piskor; UW-Platteville junior Ann Tank; UW-River Falls sophomore Katie Rydeen; UW-Stevens Point juniors Kelly Haen and Claire Roberts; UW-Stout junior Alexa Ahler; UW-Superior sophomore Kristen Jasperson and UW-Whitewater junior Maddy Roznos.

The top seven runners in the race will 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 nine WIAC teams will return to action Nov. 13, and participate in the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional in Rock Island, Ill. The regional event will be hosted by Augustana College. The NCAA Division III Championship is scheduled for Nov. 20, in Waverly, Iowa, and will be hosted by Wartburg College.