Cross Country Heads to Great Lakes Regional
 
Women Look to Qualify for Nationals
 
 
 

 
Sophomore Shamus Eaton
 
 

Nov. 10, 2006

ATHENS, Ohio - The Ohio University men's and women's cross country teams travel to Bowling Green, Ohio, on Saturday to compete in the NCAA Great Lakes Regional where 65 teams will battle to qualify for the NCAA Cross Country Championships.

Each year, there are 31 teams selected to participate in the NCAA Championships. Automatic bids are given to the top two teams in each of the nine regional sites. The final 13 spots are at-large bids determined by the NCAA Track and Field Committee. The top four individual finishers in each region, outside of the qualifying teams, also qualify for the Championships.

The Ohio women will compete against 34 other squads, four of which are currently nationally ranked. These include No. 3 University of Michigan, No. 5 University of Wisconsin, No. 11 Michigan State and No. 28 Butler. The Bobcat women are currently No. 8 in the Great Lakes Region. The women took home 11th at the Regional's last year. They are hoping for a top four finish this year.

"Our goal is to try and get the women's team to Nationals," said Head Coach Clay Calkins. "We have been running really well, and we hope to continue our success this weekend."

The women's squad will rely on junior Carime Reinhart and senior Andrea Maas to lead the women's squad. Last year they finished 15th and 44th, respectively. Sophomores Rachael Beakas and Julia Weisenborn will also be large contributors. Both placed in the top 70 at Regional's last year. In addition, freshmen Kari Summers and Annie Beecham, as well as sophomore Melissa Horner will run for the women.
 

 

"If we can't get the women's team to Nationals, we are hoping to have the chance to send some individuals," said Calkins.

The Ohio men will compete against 31 other squads, including five nationally ranked schools. No. 1 University of Wisconsin, No. 11 University of Michigan and No. 18 Notre Dame highlight some of the field. The men took home 10th at the Regional's last year.

"With the men's team, we are just hoping that this meet is a good experience and that it will help us prepare for next year," said Calkins. "However, some men may have a shot at qualifying for nationals individually."

The men's squad will be led by senior Brian King, who could be running in his last collegiate cross country race. King finished 82nd at the Regional's last year. Sophomore Shamus Eaton, who finished 91st last year, will also be an important factor for the men.

Those who earn a NCAA Championship bid this weekend will compete at the NCAA Nationals on Nov. 20 in Terre Haute, Ind.