FULL WOMEN'S RESULTS  ---  FULL MEN'S RESULTS  --- LINK TO THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP SELECTIONS

Winneconne, Wis. – The Thunder men's and women's cross country teams competed at the 2009 NCAA Division III Midwest Regional on Saturday afternoon. The event was hosted by UW-Oshkosh at Lake Breeze Golf Course. The Thunder women's team finished seventh out of 39 squads and the Wheaton men's program was 13th in a 39-team field.

Junior Jennifer Parisi finished 17th in the 273-woman field with a time of 22:15 on the 6,000-meter course. Parisi's 17th-place finish put her in next week's Division III Cross Country Championships in Beachwood, Ohio. Parisi competed in the 2008 Division III Championships as a member of the Thunder women's cross country squad that earned a team selection. She was 138th at last year's National Championships in a 279-woman field. Thunder head coach Scott Bradley said of Parisi following today's race, “It has been a real breakthrough year for Jen. She had a chance to compete at Nationals last year as a member of our team, but competing as an individual is a great accomplishment. She has had a great season for us and this is a nice reward.”

Senior Brian Wurtz finished 18th in the men's race at Saturday's Regional. Wurtz posted a time of 24:56 on the 8,000-meter course in a field of 282 runners. Wurtz's effort has earned him his second selection to Nationals. Wurtz also competed as an individual at the 2008 Division III Championships, finishing 53rd out of 287 runners. Bradley said of Wurtz, “It is a great accomplishment for Brian to qualify as an individual in back-to-back years. Hopefully having the experience of previously competing at Nationals will benefit him next week.”

UW-Eau Claire won the women's race with 52 points, Washington University (Mo.) scored 72 points in second place, UW-LaCrosse was third with 98 points, UW-Oshkosh was fourth with 139 points, North Central College scored 208 points in fifth place, University of Chicago finished sixth with 237 points, Wheaton was seventh with 251 points and Illinois Wesleyan was eighth with 251 points.

Parisi's effort paced the Thunder women, followed by junior Sara Greeley in 36th place with a time of 22:49. Senior Jennifer Bowles was 48th with a time of 23:04 and Sarah Beasley was 70th in 23:28. Jennifer Anderson was 80th with a time of 23:37, Martha Bentz posted a time of 23:43 in 86th place and Annie Shults was 123rd in 24:34.

Wurtz led the effort by the Wheaton men's team, followed by Collin Christensen in 58th place with a time of 25:47. Mark Phillips posted a time of 26:03 to finish 69th and Todd Vankerhoff ran the course in 26:43 to finish 107th. Nate Hatton was 117th with a time of 26:50 for the Thunder.