Cross Country prepares for NCAA Great Lakes Regional

Nov. 13, 2009

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State cross country team will travel to Bloomington, Ind. this weekend to compete in the NCAA Great Lakes Regional on Saturday, Nov. 14, hosted by Indiana University. The men's 10K race is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. on the Indiana University Championship Cross Country Course, with the women's 6K race following at 1:15 p.m.

The meet marks the team's first competition since the Big Ten Championships two weeks ago. The women raced to a fifth-place finish with junior Emily MacLeod (Loveland, Ohio) leading the way for her team, claiming a sixth place overall finish with a time of 20:41. Classmate Carlie Green (Milford, Mich.) placed second for the team, placing 15th overall when crossing the finish line at 21:14.

Sophomore Josh McAlary (Jackson, Mich.) paced the men's team with a time of 25:59.5, finishing 22nd overall. Freshman Ben Miller (Brooklyn, Mich.) was second to cross the finish line for MSU, turning in a time of 26:09.7 and claiming 28th-place overall.

In last season's NCAA Great Lakes Regional the women finished third overall, placing six women in the top 40. Junior Emily Langenberg (Grand Ledge, Mich.) crossed the finish line in 15th place, while recording a time of 21:42.4, junior Carlie Green (22:00.7) placed 26th while junior Emily MacLeod finished 35th (22:07.5).

The 2008 season marked the second straight year in which the men placed sixth overall at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional. Senior Patrick Grosskopf (Corunna, Mich.) took first place on the team, and 26th place overall, with a time of 32:06.5. Senior Spencer Beatty (Harbor Springs, Mich.) was close behind, finishing in 32:11.2 for 29th place overall.

The top-two teams from each of the nine regional's automatically qualify for the NCAA Championships, which are held November 23 in Terre Haute, Ind. 13 at-large teams will receive qualifying bids.

Individually, the top-four student-athletes that are not part of a qualifying team will receive invitations to compete in the NCAA Championships, along with two at-large selections.

For complete news and results following Saturday's meet visit msuspartans.com.