2008 Cross Country Final Release

Wisconsin men finish fourth at NCAA meet

Minnesota's Chris Rombough was the Big Ten highest individual finisher placing 17th.

Minnesota's Chris Rombough was the Big Ten highest individual finisher placing 17th.

Dec. 12, 2008

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The 2008 Cross Country Season has come to a close with the conclusion of the NCAA Championships.  Hosted once again by Indiana State University, Big Ten squads produced good efforts individually and team-oriented.        

Wisconsin led the way for all Big Ten squads with a fourth-place finish, totaling 229 points.  The Badgers were anchored by Landon Peacock (24th), Stuart Eagon (34th) and Matt Withrow (39th).  Minnesota was the next conference school to finish, placing 15th.  Chris Rombough (17th) and Hassan Mead piloted the Gopher charge.  Michigan took home 24th-place honors with Ciaran O’Lionard (68th) and Sean McNamara (77th) pacing the Wolverines.  Penn State followed closely behind in 25th place.  Big Ten Freshman of the Year Kyle Dawson finished 81st overall to lead the Nittany Lions.  The Big Ten’s lone individual runner was Iowa’s Jesse Luciano who crossed the line 43rd.        

On the women’s side Illinois, Michigan State, and Minnesota finished 10th, and tied for 11th, respectively.  The Fighting Illini produced two top-25 performances in Angela Bizzarri (6th) and Katie Engel (22nd).  The Spartans were also guided by two harriers in Nicole Bush (9th) and Lisa Senakiewich (27th).  Tying MSU was the Gophers who placed three student-athletes in the top 100 at the NCAA Championships.  Michigan was awarded 16th place as the Wolverines were carried by senior Nicole Edwards (24th).  Wisconsin took home 21-place honors as Gwen Jorgensen crossed the finish line 19th for the Badgers.  Rounding out the conference contingent was Iowa in 24 place.  The Hawkeyes yielded the Big Ten’s best individual performance at the NCAA meet in Racheal Marchand as she placed fifth overall.           

In all the Big Ten produced 11 All-Americans, including nine on the women’s side.  They include Illinois’ Angela Bizzarri and Katie Engel, Indiana’s Wendi Robinson, Iowa’s Racheal Marchand, Michigan’s Nicole Edwards, Michigan State’s Nicole Bush and Lisa Senakiewich, Penn State’s Bridget Franek and Wisconsin’s Gwen Jorgensen. Chris Rombough of Minnesota and Wisconsin’s Landon Peacock tallied All-America status for the men.