FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
Complete Release

Sept. 22, 2009 -- For the second consecutive week a member of the North Central College men's cross country squad has been selected as the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Runner of the Week. Michael Spain captured the award after helping the Cardinals to a first place showing at the Illinois Intercollegiate Championships in Normal, Ill. on Friday.

Spain placed sixth among a field featuring competitors from all three NCAA divisions, completing the 8,000 meter race in 24:47 and finishing one second behind teammate Kyle Brady, who captured CCIW Runner of the Week honors a week before.

North Central outdueled the University of Illinois for top honors, edging past the Fighting Illini 56-72. The team's previous best finish at the Illinois Intercollegiates was a runner-up finish in 1983.

The Cardinals take next week off before splitting the squad on October 2, sending the varsity to the prestigious Notre Dame Invitational while the rest of the team heads north to Kenosha, Wis. for the Carthage Invitational.