Men's Cross Country - NCAA III Central Regional

Date:	November 10, 2012
Results:	3 of 27
Location:	Northfield, Minn.

Luther took a major step towards qualifying for the 2012 NCAA III National Championships, thanks to a third place finish today at the Central Regional. The top two teams earned an automatic bid to the national finale and tomorrow the NCAA will announce the at-large qualifiers. Based on strength of region the chances of Luther receiving an at-large bid look promising.

Host St. Olaf won the team title posting a point total of 70 points. Iowa Conference champions Central College finished second with 75, followed by the Norse with 144. St. John's University was fourth at 155.

The Norse were led by Marty Mitchell and Austin Bauer who earned all-region honors by finishing in the top-35 from the field of 185 runners. Mitchell placed fifth clocked at 25:43.8 on the 8k course. Bauer was 13th with a time of 26:08.9. This is the second time both runners have earned all-region honors.

Completing Luther's top five was Alex Rigdon (36th - 26:30.5), Tyler Broadwell (38th - 26:33.7) and Jackson Espeset (52nd - 26:54.9).

Matt Rubins (59th - 27:04.4) and Logan Langley (63rd - 27:10.50 completed the top-seven.

Grant Wintheisen of St. Olaf won the individual title clocked at 25:20.9.

If Luther is selected as an at-large qualifier tomorrow, it will be the 27th appearance at the national championships and first since 2010.

NCAA Central Regional Final Results

The national championship will be held one week from today at LaVern Gibson Course, Terre Haute, Ind.