For many this weekend it will be their last meet of 2009 cross country season, and for seniors including myself, it will be the last meet of their college cross country careers. For a few, this weekend is the only the last step towards the 2009 DII Cross Country Championships hosted by Southern Indiana University on November 21. DII regions work differently then DI; there are no at-large bids, but rather a straight qualification system.  Each region sends at least two automatically qualifying teams and two individuals to the national meet. The top five individuals who are not part of a qualifying team will also automatically advance. The number of team qualifying spots per region, however, depends on whether or not any of the region’s teams finished in the top eight at the national meet the previous year. This year’s allotment of spaces per region has changed since last year and is listed below:

Men’s

Region (Teams) (Individuals)

East 2             2

Midwest 3             2

Atlantic 2             2

Central 5             2

South 3             2

South Central 3             2

Southeast 3             2

West 3             2

 Women’s

Region (Teams) (Individuals)

East 2                 2

Midwest 3                 2

Central 6                 2

Atlantic 3                 2

South 2                 2

South Central 2                 2

Southeast 2                 2

West 4                 2

 

I will preview the Region meets based on regional rankings and the recent conference meet. I like this column to be a conversation so please leave your thoughts about the regional match-ups.

 

Atlantic (CIAA,PSAC,WVIAC)- There are only two team qualifying spots on the men’s side. It is shaping up to be a tight race between PSAC rivals Lock Haven, Edinboro and Shippensburg. At the PSAC championships it was Lock Haven (39), Edinboro (53) and Shippensburg (73).  Will the results be the same over a 10k course? The three teams have traded places in region rankings the whole season and one of these teams will not be making it to the National Championship. In the hunt for the individual title look for Saint Augustine’s Johnny Shuping, Virginia Union’s Geoffrey Langat,  Lock Haven’s Nick Hilton and Brandon Pomerantz.

After a top finish by Shippensburg last year, the region has expanded to three qualifying spots. As of week seven, the top three teams were Shippensburg, Kutztown and Slippery Rock. After PSAC championships this will surely change with Bloomsburg finishing second (95) behind Shippensburg (77) and ahead of Slippery Rock (106). Look for Shippensburg’s Neely Spence to take the win. Millersville’s Priscilla Jennings will give her a little competition.  

Central(NSIC, RMAC)- Will RMAC teams take all five spots or will a Northern Sun team be able to qualify one team? It is assumed that Adams State and Western State will both qualify on the men’s side. The next three ranked teams will be competing for the last two spots; Colorado School of Mines, Metro State and Augustana. Augustana took their conference championship but CSM and Metro State had a strong showing at RMACs. Look for one of the Adams State’s trio of Reuben Mwei, Aaron Braun or Brian Medigovich to take the individual title.

With the largest allotment of qualifying teams (six), the team race will be tight in the bottom three. Adams State, Augustana and Western State should qualify easily. The race between Mesa State, Minnesota Duluth, Colorado School of Mines and University of Mary will be close for the last three spots. Minnesota Duluth’s Morgan Place, Adams State’s Kristen McGlynn and Mesa State’s Alexis Skarda will be in the hunt for the individual title.

East(ECC, Northeast-10, CACC)- The two qualifying team spots on the men’s side will likely go to Stonehill and UMass Lowell who both looked strong at Northeast-10 conference championships last week.  Southern Connecticut could upset. Look for American International’s Glarius Rop to take the men’s individual title.

In the women’s team race, it will most likely be Stonehill and UMass Lowell for the two qualifying sports. Look for Southern Connecticut’s Laura Brustolon to try to take the individual title.
Midwest(GLIAC,GLVC)- On both the men’s and women’s side Grand Valley and Southern Indiana won their conference titles and are the favorites for the top two qualifying spots of the three that both sides are allotted. On the men’s side that leaves four teams competing for one spot; Drury, Hillsdale, Saginaw Valley and Bellamarine. Drury and Saginaw Valley were second at their conference championships. Look for Grand Valley’s Tyler Emmorey and Ross Faassee,Saginaw Valley’s Steve Genther and Drury’s Jaime Villa Zapatero to try to take the individual title.

On the women’s side, the third spot could go to either Ferris State or Bellamarine. Southern Indiana’s Mary Ballinger, Ferris State’s Tina Muir, and Grand Valley State duo of Megan Maceratini and Katherine McCarthy to go for the individual title.

South(GSC,SIAC,SSC)- With three qualifying spots on the men’s side Harding and Florida Southern will likely take the top two spots. The third spot could be West Georgia, UAH or Nova Southeastern for all were close to the winning teams at their conference championships. Harding’s Daniel Kirwa should take the individual title.

On the women’s side, both Tampa and Harding took their conference title with about 20 points and will most likely take the two qualifying spots. Harding’s Katy Grant Arkansas Tech’s Bailee Miller and Florida Tech’s Sara Trane will be in the hunt for the individual title.

South Central(Heartland, Lone Star, MIAA)-  The top three ranked teams in this region are Missouri Southern, Abilene Christian and Pittsburg State on the men’s side. Abilene Christian is likely to take one of those qualifying spots and along with Missouri Southern. Pittsburg State did not finish far behind Missouri Southern at their conference championships and is the favorite to take the third qualifying spot.  Abilene Christian’s Amos Sang and Southwest Baptist’s Michael Pierce will chase the individual title.

On the women’s side there are two qualifying spots and Missouri Southern and Truman State appear to be the favorites for that spot. Dallas Baptist could be spoiler and take the second spot. Missouri Southern’s Kimi Shank will likely take the individual title.

Southeast(Conference Carolinas, Peach Belt, SAC)- On the men’s side for the first time in many years there are three qualifying spots. Queens perfect scored their conference meet even without frontrunner Michael Crouch and will easily win this meet. The next two spots will be a tight contest between Columbus State, Mars Hill and Lees McRae. Crouch if he runs should take the individual title.

In the women’s side, Queens is emerging as a favorite to take one of the two qualifying spots. Lees McRae has a tight pack but will have to compete with Columbus State that has a clear frontrunner.  Look for Anderson’s Whitney Bishoff, Queens’ Jessica Neville and Lenoir-Rhyne’s Kate Griewisch to be in the hunt for the individual title.

West(CCAA, GNWAC, PWC)- Chico State is a favorite to take one of the three qualifying spots on the men’s side. The next two spots will be a tight contest between Western Washington, Alaska Anchorage and Cal Poly Pomona. Alaska Anchorage’s Mark Cheesto and Chico State’s Jimmy Elam will battle for the individual title.

Chico State, Alaska Anchorage and Seattle Pacific are likely to take three of the four qualifying spots. The fourth spot will be a contest between UC San Diego and Western Washington. Returning cross country champion, Seattle Pacific’s Jessica Pixler is likely to take the win.