By Alanna Huggett, UWEC Sports Information
COLFAX, WI (Blugolds.com) – Despite a crisp and cold snowy morning, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's cross country team qualified for the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championship meet after being given an at-large bid.
Results | Photos | Championship Website
UW-Eau Claire hosted the NCAA Midwest Regional Championship meet Saturday, November 10 at Whitetail Golf Course in Colfax, WI. A total of 35 teams competed at the regional with the men's team finishing 4th with 147 points and North Central College taking the regional title with 30 points.
The top 6 teams from the Midwest Regional, including the Blugolds, qualified for the NCAA Championship meet. This is the 7th year in a row the Blugold men have qualified for the championship.
Leading the way for the Blugolds was Patrick Treacy (Sr. – Fall Creek, WI/Eau Claire Memorial). Treacy finished in 13th place with a time of 24:56 and earned all-region honors. Following Treacy was Wyatt Elmer (Sr. – Mankato, MN/Mankato Loyola), who placed 23rd with a time of 25:21 to also earned all-region honors.
Next to finish for the Blugolds was Connor Dolan (So. – Nekoosa, WI/Assumption), who finished 24th with a time of 25:22. Dolan also earned all-region honors and set new personal record by 14 seconds.
"As an individual I think my race went very well," Dolan said. "Coming off conference I was okay with the results – but I knew that for our team, I had to do better – so I thought I did what needed to be done today."
Dolan thought the team's race was a success.
"I think we did well. I believe we did what needed to be done to make it to nationals – and come Saturday (at the national meet) we'll do a lot better," Dolan said.
Following Dolan was Sam Kuhlmann (Sr. – Shorewood,WI/Shorewood), and Anthony Dupont (Sr. – Mendota Heights, MN/Henry Sibley). Kuhlmann placed 37th with a time of 25:41. Dupont was the 5th runner for the Blugolds and finished 50th with a time of 25:53.
Rounding out the top 7 were David Bachmeier (Jr. – Long Prairie, MN/Long Prairie-Grey Eagle), and Jace Bartz (Fr. – White Bear Lake, MN/White Bear Lake) Bachmeier placed 64th with a time of 26:09. Bartz finished 75th with a time of 26:22.
Head Coach Dan Schwamberger said that based off the team's regional performance, the NCAA Championship should be fun.
"It's great to have both teams heading to nationals for the 2nd consecutive year," Schwamberger said.
The Blugolds will race for the final time this season Saturday, November 17. UW-Oshkosh will host the meet at Lake Breeze Golf Course in Winneconne, WI. The men's race will start at 12:15 p.m.
