Nov. 17, 2004

Grand Valley State's women's cross country team will be competing in its fifth NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championship in the last six years. The 6k women's race, which will feature 24 teams and a total of 191 individual participants, will begin at 1:15 p.m. CST time at the Southern Indiana cross country course.

GVSU won the Great Lakes Regional title two weeks ago, earning a bid to the National Championships. The Lakers finished third at the Championships in 2002 and 2003 and fifth in 1999 and 2001.

The following teams will be participating:
Women's Qualifying Teams (Region)
Adams State, North Central
Alaska Anchorage, West
Ashland, Great Lakes
UC San Diego, West
Cal State Chico, West
Central Missouri State, South Central
Colorado-Colorado Springs, North Central
Edinboro, East
Grand Valley State, Great Lakes
Harding, South
Kennesaw State, South
Kutztown, East
Mars Hill, Southeast
Massachusetts-Lowell, Northeast
North Dakota, North Central
North Florida, South
Northern Michigan, Great Lakes
South Dakota, North Central
Stonehill, Northeast
Tampa, South
Truman, South Central
Western State, North Central
Wingate, Southeast
Wisconsin-Parkside, Great Lakes

"We are very focused on going down to Southern Indiana and having a great team race. We feel we are ready to race at a very high level," said head coach Jerry Baltes. "Our women have great experience at this level having placed in the top five at the NCAA Championships four out of the last five years."

"Four of our women have raced in a previous NCAA Championship," added Blates. "Krista O'Dell and Mandi Zemba have raced in two championships. We will use that experience going into the race."

For complete results, please click on the link below:
2004 Cross Country National Championship Results