There are conference championships, regional championships and national championships. And, in some places, state championships and area championships.
I like the New England Championships, which featured 47 teams last year, and will be run this weekend in the Boston area.
Although the field includes D1 talent like No. 16 Providence, Boston College and Haa-vaad ("Harvard"), I'd say No. 9 Stonehill should be in the mix. After their surprise win at the Pre-Nats meet in Evansville, Coach Karen Boen's charges will also face No. 12 Mass.-Lowell. It'll be a good preview of whom we can expect to win the East Region.
In Michigan, those 26-or-so schools will race at the Michigan Intercollegiates in Grand Rapids. Defending champ and No. 4 Grand Valley State will be there. I'm not sure the biggies in state (Michigan, Michigan State) take it seriously, but GVS proved their mettle against Michigan State already this year, albeit unofficially.
Elsewhere:
- No. 3 Chico State attempts to redeem themselves at the San Francisco State Invite, where they finished second to the Academy of Art (?!) last year.
- I suspect Coach Sam Burroughs may be tempted to run a full squad at No. 6 Abilene Christian's pre-regional, home meet. As the school press office puts it: "After a fairly uneventful first month of the season, the ACU cross country teams will close the 2009 campaign with a flurry." I, as many, as very curious about the state of that national champ-contending squad.
- No. 7 Colorado Mines travels to Fort Hayes State to dominate the field there.
- No. 8 Western Washington hosts a home meet.
- No. 10 Southern Indiana will participate in a meet in Rolla, Mo.
- And individual national title contender Daniel Kirwa will also run at home, as Harding plays host.
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