2014 WIAC Men's Cross Country Championship Preview University of Wisconsin-La Crosse will aim for a third straight crown when the nine conference teams assemble at the 2014 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Men’s Cross Country Championship. The 54th edition of the league event will be hosted by UW-La Crosse at Ettrick Golf Course in Ettrick, Wis., on Nov. 1. The Eagles won the 32nd league championship in program history a year ago with 53 points to nip UW-Eau Claire's second-place total of 58 points. UW-Oshkosh placed third with 66 points, UW-Stout fourth with 110, UW-Platteville fifth with 138, UW-Stevens Point sixth with 152, UW-Whitewater seventh with 207, UW-Superior eighth with 223 and UW-River Falls ninth with 233. Five teams are ranked among the finest in the NCAA Division III based on Oct. 22 rankings distributed by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. UW-Eau Claire is second, while UW-La Crosse is fifth, UW-Oshkosh 17th, UW-Stout 19th and UW-Platteville 24th. Individually, UW-Stout senior Patrick Jenkins will aim for a second straight first-place finish. He placed fifth at the University of Nebraska Open and eighth at both the Blugold Invitational and UW-Oshkosh AAE Invitational. Jenkins finished 12th at the 2012 WIAC championship. Returning runners that have secured All-WIAC honors at previous conference championships include: UW-Eau Claire juniors Christian Leitner (14th-2013) and Ryan Mugan (5th-2013); UW-La Crosse seniors Alex Ciesielski (8th-2013), Garrett Kerska (5th-2012, 10th-2013), Justin Lauria-Banta (18th-2012), Nate Routhier (16th-2011, 7th-2012) and Sam Simones (10th-2012), along with junior Tom Linner (14th-2012, 15th-2013); UW-Oshkosh senior Kenny Halloran (16th-2012) and junior Jordan Carpenter (17th-2013); and UW-Platteville seniors Sam Poser (3rd-2013), Matt Smaga (20th-2013) and Joel Walden (17th-2012, 12th-2013) and sophomore Ian LaMere (11th-2012). The top seven runners in the 8,000-meter race will receive All-WIAC first team recognition, while runners placing eight through 14 earn All-WIAC second team accolades. Individuals finishing 15 through 20 claim honorable mention laurels. All nine WIAC teams will return to action on Nov. 15, and participate in the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional at Lake Breeze Golf Club in Winneconne, Wis. The regional event will be hosted by UW-Oshkosh. The NCAA Division III Championship is scheduled for Nov. 22, at The Golf Center at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio, and will be hosted by Wilmington College (Ohio). # # # # #