ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University cross country teams head to Como Park Golf Course Saturday to take part in the MIAC Championships.
MIAC Championships Field:
Augsburg, Bethel, Carleton, Concordia, Gustavus, Hamline, Macalester, Saint Benedict, St. Catherine, Saint John's, Saint Mary's, St. Olaf, St. Thomas
MIAC Championships Course:
Como Park Course Map: Women |
Men
MIAC Championships Live On The Web:
SMU Video Preview |
MIAC Men's Video Preview |
MIAC Women's Video Preview
Webcast America Video (On-Demand After Event)
2011 Championships In Review:
Men's Recap |
Men's Resuts |
Women's Recap |
Women's Results
2012 MIAC Men's Championships:
Championships Website |
Complete Championships Preview
Team-by-Team Men's Championships Previews
AUG |
BU |
CAR |
CON |
GAC |
HU |
MAC |
SJU |
SMU |
STO |
UST
Several key questions surround the 2012 MIAC Men's Cross Country Championships. Will one of the other 10 teams be able to end Hamline's three-year run atop the conference? And with the top five finishers from the 2011 race all graduated, which individuals will emerge as contenders for the individual title? Saturday, those questions will be answered.
Head Coach Paul Schmaedeke and his Piper squad have enjoyed a three-year reign atop the MIAC, as they edged St. Olaf by nine points (45-54) a year ago to complete their three-peat. However, Hamline graduated Devin Monson, Jack Deichert and Ellis Richardson — who finished 2-3-4 a year ago — making the race for the 2012 conference title a wide-open affair Also graduated is St. Thomas' Ben Sathre — the 2011 MIAC and NCAA Division III national champion - clearing the way for a new conference individual winner. Despite their losses, Hamline will again be among the contenders, led by senior Brendan Ruter who finished 20th and earned All-MIAC Honorable Mention a year ago. The 2011 runner-up Oles also look loaded heading into the championship race with three All-MIAC runners and one honorable-mention performer back |
MIAC Preview by Matt Higgins
2012 MIAC Women's Championships:
Championships Website |
Complete Championships Preview
Team-by-Team Men's Championships Previews
AUG |
BU |
CAR |
CON |
GAC |
HU |
MAC |
CSB |
SCU |
SMU |
STO |
UST
Over the past three season, the two Northfield schools have reigned at the MIAC Women's Cross Country Championships, with Carleton winning a year ago and in 2009, while St. Olaf captured the 2010 title. As the 2012 conference meet looms on Saturday, the eyes of the conference look to Northfield once again to see if the two cross-town rivals can continue their run, or if a contender from elsewhere in Minnesota will emerge to take the title.
In 2011, Carleton claimed its second MIAC title in three years after the rival Oles had hoisted the trophy in 2010. This year, both expect to be in the mix again, but the 2012 edition of the MIAC Championships could be one of the most closely contested races in recent memory. The Knights won their 2011 title with 33 team points to runner-up St. Olaf's score of 52, but Carleton graduated last year's top two individual finishers — Simone Childs-Walker and Alison Smyth. Head Coach Donna Ricks will try to reload behind All-MIAC senior Rachael Klehm, who finished third to make it a top-three sweep for the Knights, as well as honorable-mention sophomore Becca Herd, who was 20th a year ago.
The Oles will no doubt be in contention again as well, as Chris Daymont's team will look to a pair of seniors - All-MIAC runner Emma Lee (11th) and Honorable Mention honoree Rachel Dean (17th) - to bolster their hopes for a second title in three years. Gustavus joined the Northfield duo in the top three with 82 points a year ago, and the Gusties are another top team to watch in 2012 | MIAC Preview by Matt Higgins
