Regional roundup

If you've run cross country, but haven't been to a meet in awhile, a word of friendly advice: Go. I attended the Central Regional race at Wayne State (or "Wayne, America" as the locals are wont to refer to it) and it was a great time. More familiar faces than I would've guessed after all these years. And many thanks to the painted, Viking horn-wearing Augustana gals, who took a picture with my very impressed 2-year-old daughter.

There were few surprises Saturday (one region runs Sunday), but here's how my sage predictions fared. More analysis to come next week.

• Reading my post about the East Regional, I'm not sure who I picked to win, but I had both Mass.-Lowell and Stonehill qualifying. Mass.-Lowell packed six seven within the first 17 finishers (led by Angus MacDonald's third-place effort). In spite of putting three in the top nine (Kevin Gill, Josh Andrews and Pat Fullerton), Stonehill's fifth man was a bit far back to make up that type of packing.
• Central: No real surprises, as Adams State eased to a victory. Reuben Chebon-Mwei, Aaron Braun and Brian Medigovich finished together for the win. Metro State (Colo.) and Augustana (S.D.) waged a terrific battle, separated by only a point. Western State and Colorado Mines were very solid, too.
• I completely bricked it on the South Central Region. Abilene Christian finished 10th (!); Missouri Southern, Southwest Baptist (Michael Pierce = 2nd) and Pittsburg State qualified. ACU's Amos Sang did take the individual win, though, by a jaw-dropping minute (!). No Cleophas Tanui -- from what I could see. MoSo had 5 in the top 15 for a dominating effort. Tarleton State had a great effort, too, but finished an unenviable fourth.
• Better luck for me in the West: Chico State and Marko Cheseto (Alaska-Anchorage) delivered. Chico put four in the top nine (fifth man Alan Campos was 18th place), besting Western Washington. In spite of Anchorage's 1-3 finish (Micah Chelimo in third), they narrowly held off Western Oregon.
• Harding took the team and individual titles (Daniel Kirwa) in the South Regional. Florida Southern will also advance to Evansville, as will Nova Southeastern. West Georgia, my pick for third, was five points out.
• Shippensburg surprised the Atlantic Region field. Edinboro was second, with top runner Ben Hahn taking the "W." I had Shippensburg on the outside looking in, but they really stepped it up. Lock Haven was a cruel six points out of a trip to southern Indiana.
• Grand Valley State surprised no one with their dominating win in the Midwest Regional. Tyler Emmorey carried the day, as GVSU had four in the top seven (their fifth was 20th). Saginaw Valley State nipped Southern Indiana for second, but USI gets to run in front of the home folks.
• The individual race finish was damn close, but the team race was not in the Southeast Regional. Queens (N.C.) easily returned to nationals, albeit without outdoor 1,500 meter champ Michael Crouch. You've gotta check out the photo of Oscar Ogwaro (Queens) and Meshack Koyiaki (Columbus State) at the line. Great image! Koyiaki's team will make it to Evansville, as will Mars Hill.