UB Cross Country Squads Ready to Host NCAA Northeast Regionals
11/10/2011 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo men's and women's cross country teams will host the 2011 NCAA Northeast Regional Championships on Saturday, November 12 at Amherst's Audubon Golf Course. The meet will determine which schools and individuals will race in the upcoming NCAA National Cross Country Championships later this month.
The men's 10K race will begin at noon with the women's 6K race to follow at 1:15 pm. A total of 353 men from 39 schools and 364 women from 40 schools will comprise the fields. The top two men's and women's scoring teams will automatically advance to the national championships. The top 25 individual finishers will also earn All-Northeast honors.
The NCAA uses a regional format to determine teams for the national championships. Syracuse's men's and women's teams defended their regional titles at last season's meet in Madison, CT. Iona's men won the team title from 2005-08 while the Providence women (2007-08) and Boston College (2005-06) have also won regional titles. Iona's men's and Providence's women's teams are currently ranked first in the region in the most recent poll released by the USTFCCCA. UB's men rank 14th in the region.
"This is a very exciting week for the University at Buffalo and our cross country programs," said UB head coach and meet director Vicki Mitchell. "We have been preparing all season to showcase our home to the visiting teams with an excellent venue (Audubon Golf Course), a great racing course, and an excellent experience for the student-athletes. Our men's and women's teams are both ready to compete at their best. Our men are looking to again make program history with a strong performance. Our women are ready to improve upon last year's placing. With healthy teams, we should be ready to attack."
The Bulls finished 17th in the men's meet and 26th in the women's meet last season.
Admission and parking for the meet are free. General Parking will be located at the UB Stadium Parking Lot, located off of the Coventry Entrance. Shuttle buses will run between the lot and course. The awards ceremony will take place at approximately 2:00 pm by the pavilion near the Audubon Golf Course clubhouse.
