Top conference races: GLIAC 800, RMAC DMR

Two great men's races highlighted last weekend's conference championship action.

In the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference 800 meters, the top nine finished under the provisional nationals qualifying mark of 1:54. Saginaw Valley's Tony Filipek (national leader) and Charlie Richards led the way.

Out west in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, distance medley relay title contenders Adams State, Metro State and Colorado Mines duked it out. The nod (this time) went to Adams, anchored by Reuben Mwei who recorded an (adjusted) 9:46. Metro and Mines were about two and three seconds back, respectively. A distant fourth was Western State.

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.