Contact:
Adam Poklop, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, 630-637-5302
Results
WINNECONNE, Wis. (Nov. 16, 2019) – Once again proving its readiness for next weekend's National Championship, the No. 1-ranked North Central College men's cross country team took six of the top-15 spots to win the 2019 Division III Midwest Region Championship, contested among a 36-team field at Lake Breeze Golf Course on Saturday.
Five nationally-ranked programs stood in North Central's path to its 31st regional title, but victory was never in doubt as all seven Cardinals staying together towards the front of the pack, showcased by a 21-second spread across its scorers. When the dust settled, North Central had a 42-point cushion separating them from second-place.
A trio of Cardinals were among the first ten competitors to come through the line, led by
Matt Osmulski in sixth, who finished the 8,000-meter course in 24 minutes and 50.8 seconds. Just a few steps behind him,
Gabe Pommier (24:54.9) took seventh and
Nick Licari followed in ninth (24:58.4).
Alex Makrounis (25:03.9) was the next Cardinals across the line in 11th, while
Zach Chapman (25:10.2) and
Alec Beutel (25:11.6) came through in a 14th and 15th, respectively.
Campbell Koch (25:24.5) rounded out North Central's competitors with a 23rd-place finish. North Central's entire lineup–which featured just two seniors– all received All-Region honors.
The Cardinals totaled 47 points, while the 13th-ranked University of Wisconsin-La Crosse took second with 89 points and Eighth-ranked Washington University (Mo.) finished third with 99 points. Tenth-ranked University of Chicago took fourth with 109 points followed by 31st-ranked University of Wisconsin-Stout in fifth with 170 points.
North Central heads to Louisville, Kentucky on Nov. 23 for the Division III Championship, in search of the program's 20th national championship. The men's race is scheduled for 10:45 a.m. Eastern Time at E.P. Sawyer park.
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