MSSU men advance to cross country nationals

With two runners finishing in the top seven, the Missouri Southern State University men’s cross country team earned a fifth straight berth in the NCAA Division II Championships, finishing third on Saturday at the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Cross Country Championships in Joplin.

Seniors Craig Rhoads (West Plains, Mo.) and Paul Koehler (Sunset Hills, Mo.) finished sixth and seventh, respectively, behind the top five from Abilene Christian (Texas). Rhoads completed the 10K course in 31 minutes and 53 seconds, while Koehler recorded a time of 32:03.10.

Both Rhoads and Koehler were named to the All-South Central Region team, which is made up of the top 15 individuals at each of the eight regional meets.

MSSU junior Lucas Plocher (West Plains, Mo.) was eight spots out of an All-Region spot, finishign 23rd in 33: 02.20.

The top three men’s teams from the South Central Region earn berths in the national championships. Abilene Christian won the regional in Joplin with a perfect score of 15. Central Missouri State was second with a score of 73. Each of the three will compete Nov. 20 in Evansville, Ind. at the NCAA-II Championships.

Missouri Southern’s women finished fifth in the final team standings, missing the cut to nationals. The top two women’s teams from the South Central Region earn spots in the national field.

A pair of Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association representatives, Central Missouri State and Truman State, earned berths in the NCAA-II Championships. CMSU won the meet with a score of 71, while Truman was 14 points back with 85.

However, the Lions will be sending one representative to Evansville later this month. Junior Megan Russell (Jefferson City, Mo.) finished fifth overall, completing the 6K course in 22:09.10. According to NCAA guidelines, any runner finishing in the top five who is not on an already advancing team earns a spot in the national meet. Additionally, the top two individuals not on an advancing team earn a spot in the NCAA meet.

Southern had three All-South Central Region performers on the women’s side, as two other Lions finished in the meet’s top 15, individually.

Senior Ashley Caffey (Lebanon, Mo.) finished 12th in 22:52.40 and junior Erin Click (West Plains, Mo.) was 13th in 22:52.70.

Other MSSU women to compete included freshman Kelly O’Toole (Joplin, Mo.) who was 50th overall in 24:24.30; freshman Abby Adams (Carthage, Mo.) in 57th (24:39.20), junior Michelle Brenner (Coffeyville, Kan.) in 62nd (24:48.30) and sophomore Kate Brittan (Valley Park, Mo.) in 78th (25:13.70).

Other MSSU men to compete included freshmen Kyle Davis (Potosi, Mo.) who was 34th in 33:30.80, Anthony Reed (Carl Junction, Mo.) in 62nd (34:31.20), and Brandon Wheeler (Fort Smith, Ark.) in 81st (35.12.40) and sophomore Casey Carter (Carthage, Mo.) in 94th (36:30.20).


	NOV. 6, 2004 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MSSU men advance to cross country nationals Southern also sending Megan Russell from women’s squad With two runners finishing in the top seven, the Missouri Southern State University men’s cross country team earned a fifth straight berth in the NCAA Division II Championships, finishing third on Saturday at the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Cross Country Championships in Joplin. Seniors Craig Rhoads (West Plains, Mo.) and Paul Koehler (Sunset Hills, Mo.) finished sixth and seventh, respectively, behind the top five from Abilene Christian (Texas). Rhoads completed the 10K course in 31 minutes and 53 seconds, while Koehler recorded a time of 32:03.10. Both Rhoads and Koehler were named to the All-South Central Region team, which is made up of the top 15 individuals at each of the eight regional meets. MSSU junior Lucas Plocher (West Plains, Mo.) was eight spots out of an All-Region spot, finishign 23rd in 33: 02.20. The top three men’s teams from the South Central Region earn berths in the national championships. Abilene Christian won the regional in Joplin with a perfect score of 15. Central Missouri State was second with a score of 73. Each of the three will compete Nov. 20 in Evansville, Ind. at the NCAA-II Championships. Missouri Southern’s women finished fifth in the final team standings, missing the cut to nationals. The top two women’s teams from the South Central Region earn spots in the national field. A pair of Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association representatives, Central Missouri State and Truman State, earned berths in the NCAA-II Championships. CMSU won the meet with a score of 71, while Truman was 14 points back with 85. However, the Lions will be sending one representative to Evansville later this month. Junior Megan Russell (Jefferson City, Mo.) finished fifth overall, completing the 6K course in 22:09.10. According to NCAA guidelines, any runner finishing in the top five who is not on an already advancing team earns a spot in the national meet. Additionally, the top two individuals not on an advancing team earn a spot in the NCAA meet. Southern had three All-South Central Region performers on the women’s side, as two other Lions finished in the meet’s top 15, individually. Senior Ashley Caffey (Lebanon, Mo.) finished 12th in 22:52.40 and junior Erin Click (West Plains, Mo.) was 13th in 22:52.70. Other MSSU women to compete included freshman Kelly O’Toole (Joplin, Mo.) who was 50th overall in 24:24.30; freshman Abby Adams (Carthage, Mo.) in 57th (24:39.20), junior Michelle Brenner (Coffeyville, Kan.) in 62nd (24:48.30) and sophomore Kate Brittan (Valley Park, Mo.) in 78th (25:13.70). Other MSSU men to compete included freshmen Kyle Davis (Potosi, Mo.) who was 34th in 33:30.80, Anthony Reed (Carl Junction, Mo.) in 62nd (34:31.20), and Brandon Wheeler (Fort Smith, Ark.) in 81st (35.12.40) and sophomore Casey Carter (Carthage, Mo.) in 94th (36:30.20).