KUTZTOWN, PA (November 5, 2009) – The Kutztown University men's and women's cross-country squads will be competing at the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regionals on Saturday, November 5 at Mansfield University. More than 24 schools showcasing teams from Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina are expected to feature 350 athletes.
Representing the Golden Bears for the women will be Cheryl Dingman (Lansdale, PA/North Penn) (Lansdale/North Penn)Kristin Cupido (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan) (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan), Keri Brown (Southampton, PA/Seneca) (Southampton, N.J./Seneca)Cristina Reimer (Chester Springs, PA/Downingtown East) (Chester Spring/Downingtown East), Becca Brandt (Cleona, PA/Cedar Crest) (Cleona/Cedar Crest), Maureen Watson (Walnutport, PA/Allentown Central Catholic) (Walnutport/Allentown Central Catholic) and Steph Grimm (Fleetwood, PA/Oley Valley) (Fleetwood/Oley Valley).
The women are currently ranked third in the Atlantic Region and 19th nationally, according to the latest polls released by the United States Track and Field Cross Country Coach's Association. The women placed fifth at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championships last weekend.
Running for the men's team will be Ben Loht (Lewistown, PA/Indian Valley) (Lewistown/Indian Valley), Ryan Reich (Oley, PA/Oley Valley) (Oley/Oley Valley), Kevin Rodgers (Clifton Heights, PA/Upper Darby) (Clifton Heights/Upper Darby), Eli Weeks (Pottstown, PA/Owen J. Roberts) (Pottstown/Owen J. Roberts), Joseph Dyas ( Westampton/Rancocas Valley H.S.) and Harry Latchford (Enola, PA/East Penn) (Enola/East Penn). The men finished ninth at the PSAC Championships and have been ranked within the top 10 in the Atlantic Region throughout the season.
The Atlantic Regional Championship is one of the eight NCAA Division II Regionals meets that will be held on Saturday throughout the country. The Atlantic Regional that Kutztown will partake in will be held at Mansfield University's Lambs Creek course. The women's 6K championship race starts at 11:15 a.m. followed by the men's 10K at 12:15 p.m. Awards will be presented at 2 p.m.
The top three women's teams in the regional championship advance to the NCAA Division II National Championship as do the top two men's teams. Also, any individual runner in the top five also goes if not on a team that advanced to the championship.
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