Cross Country Teams at Regional Saturday; Men Enter at No. 8

HOUGHTON, Mich. — The Michigan Tech men's cross country team will carry a regional ranking of No. 8 into the NCAA Midwest Region Championships this weekend. The 10-kilometer men's race and six-kilometer women's race are slated to be run Saturday (Nov. 22) at Angel Mounds Historic Site in Evansville, Ind.

The Tech men trail four GLIAC teams and three Great Lakes Valley Conference teams in the region rankings. Grand Valley State (GLIAC) is No. 1 followed by Saturday's host institution, Southern Indiana (GLVC).

The Midwest Region features 12 nationally-ranked teams (combined men and women), the most of any region in the country. Five men's teams are ranked in the top 25, while seven women's teams are ranked in the top 25.

The Huskies finished fifth in a deep GLIAC Championship field in Tiffin two weeks ago. Sean Pengelly, who has been Tech's top finisher all season, earned All-GLIAC Second Team honors. Deedra Irwin similarly earned All-GLIAC Second Team accolades. Both athletes hope to qualify for the NCAA Division II National Championships in Louisville, Ky., on Dec. 6.

The top four teams in each race advance to the nationals, while the top 3 individuals that are not on an advancing teams also qualify. All individuals who finish in the top five at the regional meet and are not part of a qualifying team also advance to nationals.

"It's exciting to be where we are right now," said Tech coach Joe Haggenmiller. "We're in position to run fast at the end of the year. We have a lot of talent, and I hope we can put everything together for a great day Saturday."

This Saturday's Midwest Region races are at 11:30 a.m. (men) and 12:45 p.m. (women).