PEORIA, Ill. -- Some of the top collegiate runners in the country will be competing in Peoria this weekend as Bradley will host the NCAA Midwest Cross Country Regional Saturday at Newman Golf Course. The field includes 28 men's teams and 30 teams in the women's race.
The Midwest Regional is one of nine regionals being held with the top two teams and four individual finishers from each regional advancing to the NCAA Championship hosted by Indiana State on Nov. 22 in Terre Haute, Ind. Bradley and the Illinois Valley Striders will be hosting an NCAA Regional for the third time, having previously hosted in 1986 and 1996.
“We are very excited to host the 2004 NCAA Midwest Regional Cross Country Meet,” Bradley head coach David Beauchem said. “Our hosting is a demonstration of a number of community groups coming together. The Peoria Park District and its Golf Operations have been great supporters of our program and this event. The Illinois Valley Striders and the Peoria Sports Commission have also provided much needed support to our efforts to land and operate the Regional Championship.”
The fields include three nationally ranked teams in both the men's and women's races. Iowa is the top ranked men's team in the field, ranked 17th in the latest Division I men's cross country poll. Minnesota (#22) and Oklahoma State (#25) are also ranked in the top 30.
The Missouri women's cross country team is ranked ninth in the last Division I women's cross country poll. The women's field includes two other ranked teams as both Illinois (#16) and Oklahoma (#26) also rank in the top 30 in the nation.
Nebraska won the women's title last year at the NCAA Midwest Regional in Stillwater, Okla., but Missouri went on to take 12th at the NCAA Championship, while the Cornhuskers finished 30th.
On the men's side, Oklahoma State claimed the Midwest Regional title last year, with Minnesota finishing second. The Cowboys placed 16th at the 2003 NCAA men's cross country championship, while the Golden Gophers finished 26th overall.
The NCAA Division I Track and Field Committee will select thirteen at-large teams and two at-large individuals from the nine regional championships. A total of 31 teams and 38 individuals will be competing for the men's and women's NCAA Championships Nov. 22 in Terre Haute, Ind. Selections will be announced on Monday, November 15.
Admission for the NCAA Midwest Regional is free and course will open for spectators at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 13. The women's six-kilometer race will begin at 11 a.m. with the men's 10-kilometer race starting at noon.
“Our team is very eager to compete this weekend,” Beauchem added. “Each of the past two times we hosted the regional we have had very successful subsequent seasons and I feel very confident in the same response to this opportunity from this team.”
Newman Golf Course is located at the corners of Nebraska and Sterling, and is best accessed by using the University Street exit north (Exit #91) off I-74. Drive approximately 1/4 mile north on University Street to Nebraska Avenue and make a left onto Nebraska Avenue. Newman Golf Course is approximately 1 1/2 miles and will be on the right side (North) of Nebraska Avenue. The entrance to the clubhouse will be on your right, with over flow parking available at Bradley Park and at Sterling School. Bradley Park is located south of the Golf Course entrance just off of Park Road. To park at Sterling School continue west on Nebraska Avenue to Sterling Avenue and turn right (North). Sterling School is approximately 1/4 mile north of Nebraska Avenue and is on the west side of the Sterling Avenue.
