KEVIN JENISON
GoSycamores.com
TERRE HAUTE, IND. ? The Indiana State men's cross country team just missed a chance to run in the 2009 NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships by the slimmest of margins as the at-large bids for the championship were revealed this evening by the NCAA selection committee.
“It is disappointing but not that disappointing,” John McNichols, Indiana State men's cross country coach, said. “The selections were very fair. The guys really ran a great race Saturday and we have a lot coming back next year. I don't know how many more chances I will get to have a team this good but the guys have shown that they deserve to be among the best in the Great Lakes Region and are already looking forward to next year.”
The Sycamores finished fourth in the Great Lakes Region, their highest finish ever. Regional champion Wisconsin and runner-up both received automatic bids while Ohio State, who finished third by beating Indiana State by just seven points, receiving an at-large bid.
“We beat Michigan State during the regular season,” McNichols said. “But we didn't beat any of the teams that were at-large selections. Seven points separated us and Ohio State and that may have been the difference in the selections.”
Indiana State fans will still have someone to cheer for when they come out to the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course at the Wabash Valley Family Sports Center on Monday, Nov. 23, as Sycamore senior Eric Schulz qualified for the National Championship with a sixth place finish at the regional.
“That was our highest ever individual finish at the regional,” McNichols said. “He was part of a great group of young men this season who set out to prove that they were among the best in the region and I think they did that and more.”
Indiana State cross country team members, coaches, alumni, fans and members of the Indiana State University administration were on hand at Beef O'Brady's in Terre Haute Sunday night as the selection results were announced.
“It was a great time and a great turn out,” McNichols said. “We really appreciate the support the team has had this season and hope that everyone will make it a point to come out on Monday, Nov. 23, to support Eric.”
