Nov. 17, 2008

We are very happy to be a qualifying team for the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championship. This is the 19th time we have earned a team berth to nationals since we took our first team in 1985.

Our team has really come together over the last month and is continuing a strong tradition of excellence at the national level for UW-Oshkosh cross country. We have a good balance of veterans and youth with three seniors, one junior, and three freshmen on our national team. Willy and Andrew will give us good up front power. Derrick, Nate, Josh, Mike, and Sean will give us excellent depth.

Our goal is to be a top 10 team for the 14th time in UW-Oshkosh cross country history.

Nov. 6, 2008

Going into the race on Saturday I felt very good about how are team was doing, and that was confirmed with our race at WIAC. We finished second to Point by a mere 3 points and beat La Crosse by 7 points, 52 to 55 to 62. Going into the championship Stevens Point was ranked #4, La Crosse #3, and Oshkosh #9 in the nation.

Afterward I didn't know whether I should be ecstatic or frustrated. Our top 10 guys raced so well but then to come up 3 points shy of the conference title gave me those mixed emotions. But the fact of the matter is that we did all we could and that is all you can ask. So both the team and I are very pleased.

Willy Kaul dominated in the field in a course record time of 24:15 to win his first individual cross country title. Also earning All-WIAC first team honors were Nate Stymiest and Andrew McGuire with their 5th and 7th-place finishes.

We do not race this weekend and have the NCAA Midwest Regional Championship on Nov. 15 in Rock Island, Ill.

Oct. 20, 2008

We took advantage of the great competition this Saturday at our home meet.

Our team goal was to be in the top 5 and we accomplished that with our 4th place finish out of the 32 men’s teams. We beat two teams ranked ahead of us nationally, Haverford College (PA) and Augustana College (IL).

The keys to our success were outstanding front running by Willy (first) and Andrew (sixth) and a solid third through fifth runners with Nate, Mike, and Josh. Willy established the fastest 8000 meter time in Titan history with his time of 23:59. The previous school record was 24:19 set by Scott Steuernagel in 1990.

This week we will race our second group at our home course on Friday at 2 p.m.