The University of Minnesota Duluth cross country programs head to Joplin, MO this weekend to compete in the NCAA Division II Cross Country Central Region Championships, hosted by Missouri Southern State University.

The 2023 NCAA Division II Cross Country Central Region Championships invites teams from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC), the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), and the Great American Conference (GAC) to compete in a Men's 10k race and a Women's 6k race at the Tom Rutledge Cross Country Course in Joplin.

The Bulldogs go into this race following an impressive showing at the NSIC Cross Country Championships, placing second overall in the Men's competition and sixth overall in the Women's competition. Six UMD runners received all conference team honors, including senior Jack Van Kempen who received all conference first team honors.

Last Year

UMD Men's cross country returns all of their top five runners from last year's tenth place finish at the regional championships. Fifth year senior Lucas Selman led the Bulldog pack, finishing 32nd overall with an average mile time of 04:54.6 and an overall time of 30:30.5. Other top returning runners include senior Jack Van Kempen (45th - 30:39.8), senior Austin Antony (69th - 31:11.5), senior Nick Jacobson (70th - 31:12.5), and senior Owen Dickenson (80th - 31:24.9).

UMD Women's cross country only returns two of their top five runners from last year's sixth place finish at the regional championships. Senior Maddie Verkerke slots in as UMD's top returner, finishing 13th overall with an average mile time of 5:36.1 and an overall time of 20:53.2 last year. Other top runners to look out for this year include senior Franny Seidel (43rd - 21:49.4), sophomore Elizabeth VanLoon (83rd - 22:33.1), junior Savannah Schley (101st - 22:51.3), and senior Lauryn Renier.

National Implications

The UMD Men's program saw themselves move into the #4 spot in the central region and #23 in the nation in last week's USTFCCCA Division II rankings, following their performance at the NSIC championships. Both UMD teams will look to earn a top three finish in each race this weekend in order to secure an automatic qualifier spot in the NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championships on November 18. 

The central region competition will kick off on Saturday morning, with the Women's 6k starting off at 10 AM and the Men's 10k starting at 11:15 AM. For more information, visit the event page here.