Pioneer men qualify for nationals!

In the best finish in school history, the UW-Platteville men's cross country team placed second in the NCAA III Midwest Regional Saturday, automatically qualify for the NCAA III national championships.

The Pioneers, whose previous best regional placing was third in 2000 and 2006, scored 86 points at the Saukie Golf Course in Rock Island, Ill. Only three-time regional champion North Central topped Coach Tom Antczak's club in the 39-school meet. UW-Platteville beat WIAC champion UW-Stevens Point by 28 points for the second spot. The top two teams and seven individuals are guaranteed berths in the national championships, although more teams will earn at-large berths.

The Pioneer dynamic duo of Jason Garvens and Patrick Klein each placed in the top eight, leading the charge. Garvens was second overall in 24:11, while Klein ran to eighth in 24:26. North Central's Michael Spain was the individual winner in 24:07.

To get to nationals, however, takes a total team effort, and the other Pioneer runners responded, with the next three finishing in the top 30. Bill Clift was 20th in 24:40, while Anthony Swimm was 27th in 24:49, and Nathan Petesch 29th, also in 24:49. Scott Clarke (52nd) and Matt Borneman (107th) were the sixth and seventh finishers.

Garvens, Klein, Clift, Swimm, and Petesch all earned all-region honors by finishing in the top 35.

Gina Smith was an all-region runner for the women, leading the Pioneers to eighth place. Smith was 19th in 22:10 to earn the honors. Sisters Ann and Alli Tank were 36th (22:36) and 39th (22:42), respectively, while Carin Lowe was 53rd, Steph Dorton 79th, Danielle Kunkel 82nd, and Emily Flood 84th.

UW-Eau Claire and Wash U. claimed the top two team spots to earn the national trip.

The Pioneer men will make their seventh trip to the national championships and second straight. Last year the Pioneers were ninth, their highest-ever finish.

The 2010 NCAA III national championships will be Saturday, Nov. 20, at the H. J. Max Championship Cross Country Course on the Wartburg campus in Waverly, Iowa.