This week we get a look at the final region, the Midwest.


Men’s Teams
The Midwest region is by far the deepest in the division. Though they can only qualify a maximum of five total teams to nationals, even the fifth place team in this region is a top ten threat (last year, all five teams finished in the top eleven). Honestly, teams that don’t even qualify could be top ten threats were they allowed entry into the national meet, so I have decided to do things a bit differently this week. Rather than preview only five teams, I have previewed ten, and I also decided to group them with other teams in similar positions.

The Rebuilders
All of these programs had solid teams last year—Platteville was on the podium, even—but I have some concerns about depth and expect all three to struggle a bit after graduating three varsity members apiece. That being said, they are generally strong programs, and with a little help from freshmen or with some solid improvement from their other returning members, I could easily see any one of these schools catapulting into the top five. Whitewater also fits the bill of “rebuilding WIAC school,” but I think they have even more rebuilding to do than these three.

10. Eau Claire
The Blugolds came up just a few points shy of securing the final at-large bid to nationals, but now they will have to replace 5k and 10k runner-up Thomas Breitbach, who (I believe) is out of cross country eligibility.  Aric Runzheimer (32:13), Aaron Easker (15:01), Conor Rafferty (15:47), and Jeremy Kieser (15:05) make up a respectable returning core, and along with Charlie Daehler (31:59) and Matt Scott (15:23), the Blugolds have decent depth. Still, they will need a frontrunner to emerge if they have any hopes of challenging for a trip to nationals.

9. Platteville
After last year’s surprising podium finish, the Pioneers will have to fill the void left by the departure of their top three finishers at nationals. Anthony Swimm (31:11) looks prepared to lead the team, but aside from him and returning varsity members Bill Clift (9:40), Scott Clark (15:31), and Matt Borneman (15:28), Platteville has little depth. Finding a fifth man will be tough enough, but if any one of those four cannot come through in November, then Platteville will have almost no chance of toeing the line at nationals.

8. Stevens Point
Frontrunner Terry Witkowski (30:43) returns for the Pointers, but they graduate their next best three. Still, they have enough depth to go along with Witkowski that I consider Stevens Point to be a very real threat to make it back to nationals. Middle distance star Dan Sullivan (3:51) should have a solid cross country season after his second place finish in the 1500, and along with Evan Cooper (15:16) and Derek Nechuta (9:32), the Pointers have the pieces to be contenders this November.


The Upstarts
It was a bit tough to decide whether to put this group ahead of or behind the first group, but I ultimately decided to give these relatively young squads the nod as all three had solid performances across the board during track season. It will be interesting to see how well those times translate into cross country success, though, as these teams and their prospective scorers are almost all unproven on the cross country course.

7. U of Chicago
The Maroons graduate only one scorer from their regional team, and they bring back sub 15 guys William Whitmore (14:56) and Mahmoud Bahrani (14:58) along with a ton of other guys between 15 flat and 15:30. This group certainly has the talent and track pedigree to make it to Oshkosh for nationals, though nothing about them stands out to me over either of these next two schools.

6. Augustana
Though they graduate their number one runner, Augustana brings back a trio of sub-15 guys in Billy Tenbusch (14:57), Mike Tisza (14:58), and Brian Pollastrini (14:56). In almost any other region, three track stars like this would put you in contention for an automatic bid to nationals, but with their depth a bit of a question mark, I’m not quite convinced that they will make the jump to nationals competitor quite yet.

5. Wheaton
Led by the young Mark Phillips (14:37) and Waterman twins (Jake 14:56, James 9:23), the Thunder appear ready to roll this November. Along with that lead trio, Wheaton has Parker Thompson (3:51), Jacob Goertz (15:33) and Jimmy Greene (15:48), which should be just enough to round out a solid scoring five. Though if I had to pick a fifth team to make it to nationals, it would be Wheaton, there are so many talented teams and this team is so young (only one senior in their returning top five), it might take one more year for them to become a top ten contender at nationals.


The Contenders
This group of schools doesn’t fit quite as neatly together as the other two groups, but I do think they are all a cut above the rest of the region and a threat for top four honors at nationals. That being said, it’s almost impossible to tell how things will shake out this early, especially in a region with as much depth as this one.

4. La Crosse
By far the hardest team to predict, La Crosse had their struggles both on and off the course last year. However, they are generally a stellar program, return everyone, and have so much talent that it is hard not to predict them to finish in the top ten nationally. David Stilin (14:23i) should be the leader for this young team, and after him comes a ton of other potential scorers. Only time will tell who (if anyone) steps up, but with a roster that includes Sean Harrington (30:29), Mark Punzenberger (31:04), Brian Shonat (9:14), Tyler Heinz (9:24), Jacob Peterson (9:28), Carlton Foster (15:30), Bobbie Laabs (15:08), Alex Ciecielski, 2009 track nationals qualifier Zach Wilhelmy, and tons of other guys who were injured this year but successful in the past, La Crosse has the most upside among the major contenders. However, it is too soon to tell whether they have put last year’s difficulties behind them or whether this season will be just as frustrating.

3. Wash U
The Bears don’t have as much depth as La Crosse, but their stellar returning top five more than compensates. Michael Burnstein (30:29), fresh off a third place national finish in the 10k, will be the leader, but teammates Tucker Hartley (30:55) and David Hamm (31:02) will certainly help out up front. In addition, Caleb Ford (3:59) and Matt Schwab (15:00) will likely round out their experienced scoring five. Though depth could be an issue, if these guys all stay healthy, Wash U should be a lock for another top ten finish.

2. Oshkosh
Last year’s fifth place regional squad loses only one varsity member. Led by Nate Stymiest (14:23), the Titans appear likely to pack it up with John DeWitt (14:54i), Jordan King, Jake Keehan (15:15), Mike Jarchow (15:17i), Erik Hofferber (15:16i), and Tyler Morey (14:59i). I consider them the top WIAC team, and though I think they’re a long shot to win the regional crown, they could surprise us all at nationals on their home course.

The Regional (and National) Favorite
In my opinion, the times and results speak for themselves.

1. North Central
Eight returners sub 15 (including five rising sophomores), three more sub 9:30 as well as a 3:54 guy, the most decorated program in division history, and, at the helm, the man whom the division named the “Program of the Year” award after. What more can you ask for from a national contender? The only question I have is, after the graduation of Mike Spain, who takes his place as frontrunner? Cases can be made for Neal Klein (fourteenth at nationals), Dan Kerley (All-American in the 10k), or Matt Perez (top freshman at XC nationals), but I wouldn’t be surprised to see all three of them scoring very low points at both the regional and national meet.

Men’s Individuals
Last year, the region had twelve All-Americans, and I could easily see a similar number appearing this year. Six of the top ten at regionals graduate, but there are appear to be more than enough able runners ready to fill that void. I thought about again ranking a top ten, but I feel like there is a clear top five (or six, counting David Stilin, who I have left out).


5. Tim Nelson (UW Stout)
Nelson just missed out on All-American honors last year, despite finishing only 17th in the region. He continued to show great strides during track (14:33, 30:06), and took home the final All-American award in the 10k outdoors. He has a lot of upside and could figure into the national top ten if he continues to improve at a similar rate.

4. Terry Witkowski (UW Platteville)
After an exceptional cross country season, including third and ninth place regional and national finishes, Witkowski wasn’t quite as impressive during the indoor season, running “only” 14:56. He rebounded well enough to qualify for nationals in the 10k before struggling in Columbus, so it will be interesting to see if he can regain his cross country form from last year.

3. Michael Burnstein (Wash U)
Burnstein was consistently impressive last year. He finished twelfth at regionals, 30th at nationals, and then reemerged outdoors to qualify in both the 5k and 10k. In an exceptional race, he secured third place in the 10k against a highly talented field, showing potential for special things this cross country season.

2. Nate Stymiest (UW Oshkosh)
Fourth at regionals and seventh at nationals last year wasn’t quite enough to get the top spot on my list, but I think he will be even more of a contender at the national meet on his home course. All in all, if I had to pick one favorite for the regional (and national) title, it would likely be him, as he has impressed consistently in each season. However, I took the easy way out and picked more than one.

1. Neal Klein/Dan Kerley/Matt Perez (North Central)
I think one of these three will win the regional title. I have no idea which one, though. As noted above, Klein was the star during the cross country season, finishing fifth in the region and fourteenth at nationals. However, Kerley was just as good if not better outdoors, and had a much stronger finish to his season. Meanwhile, Perez had solid results year round as a freshman, so if he improves as much as most sophomores do, he could easily be ahead of that duo. All in all, I expect the three Cardinals to be in the top ten in the region, with one of them taking home the title (or at least coming very close).


Women’s Teams
The Midwest accounted for half of the podium spots on the women’s side. However, there is not quite as much depth as on the men’s side, especially given that every top five team graduates multiple scorers. Still, the region should get at least two at-large bids, if not three, and I’m sure that the top regional squads will again be podium threats.

5. North Central
The Cardinals aren’t nearly as dominant as on the men’s side, but they again appear to have a shot at making nationals after coming up just short last season. Losing top runner Amanda Laesch hurts, but a more balanced group of returners, including Kala Bingham (2:13), Alicia Zimmerman (10:59), Lauren Hooks (18:20), Sarah Ahn, Amanda Marek (18:23), and Krista Cota (2:13), should provide more than enough depth to contend for an at-large bid.

4. U of Chicago
Losing 2010 5k and 10k champ Liz Lawton to graduation hurts the Maroons chances of repeating their surprising top ten finish at nationals, but Rachel Ohman (37:49) and Julia Sizek (17:41) appear ready to fill that void up front. They’ll need returning varsity members Michaela Whitelaw and Sonia Khan to close the gap to their top duo if they want to contend for an automatic bid, though.

3. UW Stevens Point
The key for the Pointers will be if Claire Roberts returns to use her final year of cross country eligibility. In her final collegiate track season, Roberts put on quite the show, running 4:25 and 16:58.  With Roberts, Stevens Point can mix it up with the region’s best two teams. Even without Roberts, though, Stevens Point could still contend for an at-large bid, as all-region runner Kelly Haen (18:06) returns from last year’s third place regional squad, along with Kelsey Laska, Annie Olson, and Nikki Bruhn.

2. UW Eau Claire
After winning the national championship in 2009, the Blugolds returned to the podium with last year’s fourth place finish. However, Eau Claire graduates their top two runners and will have to rely on two time cross country All-American Alyssa Sybilrud, who seemed to struggle during the track season this year. Still, returning varsity members Ashlyn Mauer (10:40), Madison Sawyer (18:16), and Kacey Rindy (18:59) should provide enough depth for the defending regional champs to contend for the title yet again.

1. Wash U
The Bears were the regional and national runners-up last year, and though they graduate two of their top three, dreams of a repeat appearance on the podium are well within reach. Top returner Liz Phillips put together an impressive track campaign (4:28, 17:46), and along with other returning varsity members Sarah Fisher (18:26), Molly Wawrzyniak (11:01), Lacey Vogel (11:17), and Erica Jackey (4:43), the Bears should be able to turn the tables on rival Eau Claire and bring home the regional crown.

Women’s Individuals
The region had nine of the top 25 at nationals last year, but seven of those nine graduate as do eight of the top ten regional finishers. Clearly, the region will struggle to have a similar level of individual success this year, but I again expect the Midwest to at least bring home more than its fair share of All-Americans.

5. Katie Schommer (Wisconsin Lutheran)
Schommer was stellar during the cross season, finishing twelfth at regionals (fifth returner) and 47th at nationals. Though her track times aren’t quite as good as the rest of the region’s elite, she showed solid improvement at the shorter distances and had some success stepping up to the 5k (18:06) and 10k (38:11).

4. Alyssa Sybilrud/Ashlyn Mauer (UW Eau Claire)
Sybilrud has been a cross country All-American for two years in a row, so it clearly would be foolish to expect anything less. However, she appeared to be injured for the remainder of the year, racing only sparingly indoors. Mauer, on the other hand, wasn’t as spectacular during the cross country season, but continued to improve through the winter and spring, ultimately posting a personal best of over a minute in the 5k (17:36) and qualifying for nationals in the steeple (10:40).

3. Elizabeth Phillips (Wash U)
After finishing only three seconds out of All-American honors during the cross country season, Phillips again impressed outdoors. She notched slight personal bests in the 800 (2:11) and 1500 (4:28) and showed she still can run longer distances with the best in the region with an early season 17:46 5k.

2. Claire Roberts (UW Stevens Point)
Assuming she returns to use her final year of cross eligibility, Roberts could be a threat for an upset at the regional and national meet. Though only seventh at regionals last year, she put together an incredible outdoor campaign, culminating in a 16:58 personal best in the 5k and a fourth place finish in the super competitive 1500 final. If that 5k is any indication, she has some significant upside this cross country season.

1. Christy Cazzola (UW Oshkosh)
Though she only ran shorter distances during the track season Cazzola has to be considered the regional favorite and on the short list of national contenders. She ran away from Roberts, Phillips, and the rest of a strong field in the 1500 final at nationals, and she is the top returner from both regionals and nationals.

Well, that’s it for the regional previews. Be sure to check out the real rankings on the USTFCCA site (regional rankings come out Tuesday, national ones comes out Wednesday).