2015 WIAC Men’s Cross Country Championship Preview University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire will strive for a second straight title at the 2015 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Men’s Cross Country Championship (presented by Culver’s). The 55th edition of the league event will be hosted by UW-Oshkosh at Lake Breeze Golf Club in Winneconne, Wis., on Oct. 31. The Blugolds claimed the second championship trophy in program history - and first since 1980 - with 36 points a season ago. UW-La Crosse finished second with 47 points, UW-Platteville third with 99 points, UW-Oshkosh fourth with 106, UW-Stout fifth with 124, UW-Stevens Point sixth with 142, UW-Whitewater seventh with 191, former member UW-Superior eighth with 221 and UW-River Falls ninth with 264. Four teams are ranked among the finest in the NCAA Division III based on Oct. 21 rankings distributed by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. UW-Eau Claire is the top-ranked team in the country, while UW-La Crosse is tied for eighth, UW-Stevens Point tied for 11th and UW-Oshkosh 20th. Individually, UW-Eau Claire junior Josh Thorson will aim for a second straight first-place finish after securing last year’s crown with a time of 24:25. This fall, he won the UW-Oshkosh AAE Invitational and finished third at UW-Eau Claire Invitational. Returning runners that have secured All-WIAC honors at previous conference championships include: UW-Eau Claire seniors Christian Leitner (14th-2013, 6th-2014), Ryan Mugan (5th-2013, 2nd-2014) and Steven Schimmel (18th-2014), junior Nick Petersson (13th-2013) and sophomore Darin Lau (9th-2014); UW-La Crosse senior Tom Linner (14th-2012, 15th-2013, 10th-2014) and sophomore Jonah Weisse (8th-2014); UW-Oshkosh senior Jordan Carpenter (17th-2013, 3rd-2014) and junior Joe Zack (20th-2014); UW-Platteville junior Ian LaMere (11th-2012, 5th-2014); and UW-Stout senior Tony Cass (12th-2014). UW-River Falls freshman Julian Manley and UW-Stevens Point junior Neil Pedersen have produced strong showings for their squads this fall. 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 eight WIAC teams will return to action on Nov. 14, and participate in the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional at Saukie Golf Course in Rock Island, Ill. The regional event will be hosted by Augustana College (Ill.). UW-Oshkosh will host the NCAA Division III Championship on Nov. 21, at Lake Breeze Golf Club. # # # # #