Regionals day: Adams State, Alaska-Anchorage, Grand Valley State, Queens storm regional meets

9:28 a.m. (MST): That Lock Haven men won the Atlantic region isn't much of a surprise, but they did so in dominant fashion over Shippensburg. Nathan Zondlo (Lock Haven), nice race!
Meshack Koyiacki (Columbus State) beat Michael Crouch (Queens) for the third time this season in the South East. That Koyiacki kid is tough...

FYI: This is THE link for results.

11:58 a.m.: Neeley Spence (Shippensburg) and wins by nearly a minute in the Atlantic. Kutztown women surprisingly second to Ship. As I impatiently wait for other results.

12:25 p.m.: The South region pretty much goes to form, but the Florida Southern men nearly upset Harding. Daniel Kirwa (Harding) repeats. And perhaps there is some certainty in the South Central region, as all the predicted faves make it through: Central Missouri, Abilene Christian for the men (though not in a runaway), and Pittsburg State, Midwestern State and Missouri Southern for the women. Amos Sang (Abilene Christian) stamped his authority on the race. Can the Charlotte doubler win in Louisville?

12:39 p.m.: Am I good or what? (I'd say "lucky."). Kate Griewisch (Lenoir-Rhyme) win in the South East. Queens and King proceed. That's a first for King!

1:01 p.m.: Adams State men dominates the Central, putting all seven in front of Western State's second. Wow. But Colorado Mines' Ben Zywicki pulls a minor upset, winning the race. Mines, Augustana and Metro State also make it through.

I got my Central women's predictions mixed up. Adams beats Western, Augustana does finish third, but Minnesota-Duluth misses out by three points to Mary. Argh! Long-shot Regis is sixth.

1:24 p.m.: Could the men's and women's national title races in Louisville come down to Adams State vs. Grand Valley State? Grand Valley State literally ran away with both races at the Midwest regional (on the same course). The men had a 23-second pack time, and Tyler Emmorey (GVSU) won. The women: 33 seconds. Very impressive.

Other qualifiers for the men: Southern Indiana, (hosts) Bellarmine and Drury. A coupla surprises on the women's side, as Ferris State (led by women's winner Christina Muir) and Hillsdale advance.

Much later: OK, I'm not going to wait for those East Regional results any longer. (Sunday....!) Didja see Alaska-Anchorage pulled the double out West? Yep, a five-point win for the men and a 15-point win for the women -- both over Chico State. Anchorage could finish as high as third in Louisville. (Just another road trip!)

Western Washington and Western Oregon will make the trip from the men's side, as both those squads join Cal Poly Pomona and BYU Hawaii on the women's.

Cross nats to Spokane in 2011

If not at Louisville this fall, I will be at the 2011 event. That's because it's just down the road in Spokane, Wash., hosted by Western Washington, 362 miles away. (And you thought Adams State was a long ways from Albuquerque.)

It'll return to Spokane, in 2013, after a trip to Missouri Southern's awesome course in Joplin, Mo.

Other notable races:

• 2010 Atlantic cross regionals at St. Augustine's,
• 2012 indoors at Mankato State.

All regional championship sites have been set for this fall, excepting the Central Region, as far as I know, which includes the RMAC and NSIC. Anybody know otherwise?

2010 regional cross sites: Advantage Queens, W. Wash

The NCAA approved regional championship sites, leading up to the Louisville nationals.

Two teams that figure to be in the national title hunt -- Queens and Western Washington -- will have the luxury of running at home. And Midwest qualifiers -- last fall it was Grand Valley State, Southern Indiana and Sagniaw Valley State -- will (presumably) get to run at the nationals venue. In fact, that will be the second year in a row for Southern Indiana, which took advantage of that in Evansville for a higher-than-expected finish.

Here are the sites:

• East – Massachusetts-Lowell
• Midwest – Bellarmine
• South – Alabama-Huntsville
• South Central – Central Missouri
• Southeast – Queen’s (N.C.)
• West – W. Washington

The NCAA has not yet named sites for the Central and Atlantic regions.

West, Midwest get extra regional spots

An extra regional berth to next year's nationals in Louisville could provide extra motivation for some teams in the Midwest and West regions.

Under NCAA rules, regions placing a team in the top eight "earn" an extra spot for that region the following year.

In the West, which goes from three to four spots, that could get Cal Poly Pomona, Western Oregon or Humboldt State to nationals. Or, perhaps, ensure the return of Chico State or Alaska-Anchorage. (Western Washington ought to make it with ease.)

In the Midwest, look for Hillsdale or Wayne State (Mich.) to make a run for that region's fourth spot. (Grand Valley State and Southern Indiana will also return.)

The South and South Central lost out in Evansville.

That will put a host of teams in a bind, namely West Georgia, Alabama-Huntsville, Nova Southeastern in the Southeast and Pittsburg State, Southwest Baptist, Central Missouri and perhaps Missouri Southern in the South Central.

Is it time to redraw the regional map?

The Central, Midwest and West will now account for 13 of the 24 spots at nationals -- and 7 of the 12 "extra" spots. The remaining five regions will get a shot at 11 qualifying spots. In Evansville, four of the six bottom teams hailed from the South or Southeast regions. These also produced the bottom two in Slippery Rock. Conversely, those regions have also produced title-contenders Queens (N.C.) and Harding.

Perhaps a better question is: Does too many (or too few) qualifying spots in a region adversely affect competition?

Getting to know the women's field

My daughter got an introduction to college cross country at the Central Regional in Wayne, Neb. Here some Augustana (S.D.) runners demonstrate typical enthusiasm.

Wolf pack

It occurred to me after the Central Regionals in Wayne, America, that a cross country team is kinda like a wolf pack. There's some biting, scratching and barking that you don't see when the pack is on the hunt.

Case in point: Making Adams State's top seven. An important race was run before the women's and men's finals last weekend. For some ASC runners, it was a time trial, as the squad still has some spots on the nationals squad up in the air. And -- from what I understand -- the regionals team might not be the nationals team, although I'd expect the Three Frontrunners (Brian Medigovich, Reuben Chebon-Mwei and Aaron Braun) and Ryan McNiff to make it. But, as one ASC runner put it, "I was seventh last year, and this year I'm 14th." Another measure of amazing depth.

Different teams likely do it different ways. I remember a complicated points-earning scheme. And, like the current team, a thankfulness to those who don't make those travelling teams but yet push you in workouts and slap your back with "attaboys" when it's over.

However teams determine their Magnificent Seven, they nearly always work together when the race -- or hunt -- begins.

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.

Regional best: South Central is a doozy

One thing is almost a certainty: The South Central Region will have at least four berths to nationals next year. (Each region gets two plus one more for each team in the top 8.)

But this year, there are only three. And it's the most-interesting regional meet this year.

I detailed the strong points of the contenders, so now I'll pick the qualifiers: Abilene Christian, Southwest Baptist and Pittsburg State.

Abilene Christian, in spite of its variable lineups and a summer of uncertainty, are just too talented to overlook. Plus they're running at home. Plus, I like Amos Sang for the individual win, mostly on the strength of his resounding pre-regionals win a few weeks ago. Although I don't think they're national title contenders, I'd be a fool to rule them out before their top-flight team runs at regionals.

Southwest Baptist won the D2 race at the Griak. Impressive. Michael Pierce will shine.

And Pittsburg State has put together an impressive season.

Missing, of course, are the two Missouri schools: Missouri Southern and Central Missouri. Each are worthy and I won't be surprised at all if they advance to Evansville.

Central: Adams State, Mwei

I've checked the weather forecast, and it should be a nice day on the Great Plains. Wayne State (Neb.) plays host to the Central Region, which has become D2 dominant region.

Although, five teams will qualify for Evansville, the drama won't be at the front end. Western State might catch Adams State this year, but it's doubtful. The Mountaineers will likely have steadied their emotional ship, after the tragic death of an assistant coach and former WSC national champ.

I'm not exactly sure who Adams State will bring, but I know these three will be on it: Reuben Chebon-Mwei, Aaron Braun and Brian Medigovich. And I suspect Ryan McNiff and Edwin Cruz will make the trip, too. Two Europeans may make the top 7, but I'm unsure of the team selection criteria. I don't want to bet against any of these guys, but I'll take Mwei to win; he's had a great season. (I'm still thinking of that sub-25 minute effort in Denver.)

Western State, though, is no slouch. Led byTyler Pennel, Iain Donnan and Loren Ahonen, WSC won't just hand over the regional title to their rivals over the hill. And if they don't win in Wayne, nationals will present another chance. (It's happened before.)

Colorado Mines, too, is a cinch. Perhaps as a measure of their strength, All-American Ben Zywicki was only the team's No. 4 runner at the conference championships.

The real race is for fourth and fifth, where Metro State (Colo.), Augustana (S.D.), Nebraska-Kearney and Mankato State all have legitimate shots.

• Augustana really put it together to win the Northern Sun, besting Mankato State and keeping their top five pack at one minute. They also topped Mankato at the Griak, albeit by a point.
• >But Mankato State was missing their stalwart No. 3 man, Denise Mokaya, at the NSICs. The squad, Mankato State is led by All-American James Krasja, was eighth last year in Slippery Rock.
• Metro State has been rejuvenated by the presence of 800 outdoors champ Anthony Luna, who may or may not take a liking to 10,000 meters this weekend. (I am impressed by his range.) This is a squad that abruptly lost their coach just before the season start, and they've fared well.
• Nebraska-Kearney has a young squad, but I suspect they'll be on the outside looking in when it's over. Next year?

I'll take Metro State and Augustana. I'm looking forward to seeing how my picks unfold.

West: Chico, mon

One year after losing their individual national champ to the "pros," Chico State has reloaded.

Buoyed by Humboldt State transfer Jimmy Elam, who has traded top finishes with Beau Gradone-Rogers.

The team kicked around some more D1 pretenders at Irvine, Calif., and Willamette, Ore. meets this season.

Chico can't be complacent, though. Western Washington and Alaska-Anchorage won't be far behind.

While Anchorage's Marko Cheseto and Micah Chelimo are my picks for the individual crown, WWU has gotten the better measure of them this year.

And if Anchorage's fourth- and fifth-man blues are acute, Western Oregon emerge with tickets to Evansville.

Midwest: Young Grand Valley State already has experience

Grand Valley State might start its 2010 national title run with a win at regionals at the well-known Kenosha, Wis., cross country course (ah, I have fond memories of that place!).

GVSU -- fifth in Slippery Rock with only one senior -- will be pretty good in Evansville, too. Soph Tyler Emmorey will leads the Lakers. He's a good bet to win the regional race, too.

The team was runner-up at the Michigan intercollegiates and only barely lost to D3 power North Central at Notre Dame.

Southern Indiana will likely be on guard against a let down. They absolutely must qualify in order to keep home field advantage at nationals. And qualify they should. The team was a strong second behind East power Stonehill at Pre-Nats in September.

The third spot should go to Saginaw Valley State, who have consistently beat likely fourth-place finishers Hillsdale this year.

South East: Queens, with or without Crouch

A Southeast Regional without Michael Crouch (Queens, N.C.) would be unfortunate. Little birdies have told me he's hurt, but I don't have definitive word.

With or without Crouch, Queens will punch its ticket to Evansville. Without Crouch, teammate Oscar Ogwaro is my favorite to win the region.

Thanks to the Royals' seventh-place finish last year, three teams will come out of the SE. Look for Columbus State to return to the national stage. I'll have to rely on the coaches' poll for the third team: Mars Hill.

East: Rop, Stonehill, Mass-Lowell

Three things are for sure at the East Regional: Glarius Rop (American International), Stonehill and Mass.-Lowell. In that order.

Rop could be an outside favorite in Evansville. But first things first, he's gotta qualify. And he will with ease.

It's a two-team race otherwise, and I'll be shocked if Stonehill or Mass.-Lowell bricks it. They only take two from the East, so Rop's AI squad and others will likely be on the outside looking in.

Stonehill and Mass.-Lowell have had great competition against each other this season. Stonehill won the latest battle (at the NE-10s), while Mass.-Lowell arguably had the bigger win at the New England collegiates race. It appears that Mass.-Lowell (led by Tim Guerin and Angus MacDonald) and deeper through seven, but it only takes five.

Stonehill has those five -- and they run in a pack. At the Mass.-Dartmouth race earlier this year, the scoring five were an amazing two seconds apart. At NE-10s, the 2-5 gap was about 20 seconds. That's team running...and that'll get you to nationals.

Atlantic: Edinboro or Lock Haven?

It's hard to go against Edinboro -- they've got the tradition and have had the performances this year.

Led by Ben Hahn (17th in Slippery Rock last year), the Fightin' Scots (and Hahn) should recover from a muddy loss at the Pennsylvania State champs with a win at the Atlantic Regional at Mansfield (Pa.).

But it might be a mistake to pick Lock Haven to finish second. Led by Nick Hilton and Brandon Pomerantz (1-2 at PSAC), Lock Haven has had a nice season, counting wins over D1 Penn State and the aforementioned win at the PSAC, which they managed at Edinboro. The gap to Lock Haven's fifth man will determine whether they win...or even stay home.

Only two teams go to Evansville, but Shippensburg might step up. They finished ahead of Lock Haven at the enormous Paul Short invite in mid-October.

Regionals week: No hiding...and a trip to Wayne, Neb.

This is it. All the invites, conference championships and jamborees are over. From Saturday onward, it counts. Have a good race, and you'll be toeing the line in Evansville. Have an off day, and you'll be dreaming of (almost) Christmas in Louisville.

Though I had hoped to make it to southern Indiana, the time and money just aren't there. While I didn't start this blog for money, as an ex-journalist formerly subjected to the pressures of the blogosphere, I wondered if I could make any coin the Google-way.

Well, $5.60 will get us up and over Bozeman Pass, but not bound for Evansville. I'll take in the Central Regional in Wayne, Neb., which will actually be my second visit there. I'll get to see first-hand how the Adams State-Western State rivalry is faring, and I'll see a possible Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference sweep of the five team spots. (Local favorites Augustana (S.D.) will likely have something to say about that.)

So this week I'll preview each region, pick my winners -- and await your own choices.