Toms send men, women's teams to nationals

November 17, 1999
Waverly, Ia.

The St. Thomas men's and women's cross country teams qualified for next Saturday's NCAA Championships with top-four team finishes as today's Central Regional meet.

There are 24 men's and 24 women's team in the NCAA field.

Coach Pete Wareham's men's team took third out of 25 with 67 points, just behind champ Nebraska Wesleyan (60) and St. John's (65). Wartburg (136) took the other team qualifying spot.

The Toms bunched their five scorers within 16 seconds and placed from 10th to 17th with the tightest pack in the meet. Dan Draine was 10th in 26:29; Rick Chapko was 11th in 26:30; Nick Maddox was 13th in 26:35; Brian Preus was 16th in 26:42; and Ryan Kollmann was 17th in 26:45. UST's other runners were Steve Henderson (27:12) and Matt Harvieux (27:32).

Coach Joe Sweeney's women placed fourth of 24 with 121 -- ust four behind third-place Luther and 29 ahead of Wartburg. St. Olaf (54) and Macaleser (98) finished 1-2 in the team race.

UST was led by Heather Phillips (9th, 1850); Kelly Faris (10th, 18:56); Carleen Andert, 14th, 19:06); Jenni Mooney (43rd, 19:52); Emily Haley (45th, 19:53); Becky Mooney (53rd, 20:04); and Lindsey Hansen (58th, 20:07).

The national meet will be held Saturday in Oshkosh, Wis, with the women's 5,000-meter race at 11 a.m., and the men's 8,000-meter race at noon.

see complete results