2022 WIAC Women's Cross Country Championship Preview

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse will aim for a second straight first-place trophy at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Women’s Cross Country Championship (presented by Culver’s). The 44th version of the event will be hosted by UW-La Crosse at Maple Grove Venues in West Salem, Wis., on Oct. 29. The women’s race will commence at noon and be followed by the men’s competition at 1:00 p.m.
 
UW-La Crosse secured the 10th conference title in program archives a season ago with 33 points. UW-Eau Claire was second with 62 points, UW-Oshkosh third with 83, UW-Stevens Point fourth with 83, UW-Stout fifth with 119, UW-Whitewater sixth with 192, UW-River Falls seventh with 207 and UW-Platteville eighth with 213.
 
UW-Oshkosh leads conference schools with 16 titles, while UW-Eau Claire has 11 and UW-Stevens Point two. Former members Marquette University and UW-Madison collected three and one, respectively.
 
Three programs are ranked among the best in the NCAA Division III based on Oct. 19 rankings distributed by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. UW-La Crosse is eighth, while UW-Eau Claire is 14th and UW-Oshkosh 33rd.
 
Returning runners that collected All-WIAC recognition from the 2021 championship include: UW-Eau Claire’s Carolyn Shult (second), Katie Faris (eighth), Naomi Long (17th) and Morgan Dahl (19th); UW-La Crosse’s Jenna Lovejoy (third), Maddie Hannan (seventh), Madelynn McIntyre (12th), Maddy Vantassel (13th) and Katelyn Chadwick (20th); UW-Oshkosh’s Cyna Madigan (ninth); UW-Stevens Point’s Rachel Krouse (fourth), Catie Cage (11th) and Katie Schaefer (18th).
 
Lovejoy was selected the WIAC Newcomer of the Year a season ago, while Hannan received the distinction in 2019.
 
In 2019, Long was seventh, while Hannan placed third and Vantassel 11th. UW-La Crosse’s Lauren Beauchaine and Jamie Huber finished 16th and 19th, respectively.
 
At the 2018 championship, Long finished 12th and Schaefer 16th.
 
UW-Platteville has received strong performances from Kaitlyn Galgon, while UW-River Falls has been led by Maddie Greelis. UW-Stout’s Arely Jamie Luevano and UW-Whitewater’s Ari De La Cerda have been the most consistent runners for their teams.
 
The top seven runners in the 6,000-meter race will receive All-WIAC first team recognition, while runners placing eighth through 14th earn All-WIAC second team accolades. Individuals finishing 15th through 20th claim honorable mention status.
 
All eight WIAC teams will return to action on Nov. 12, and participate in the NCAA Division III North Regional, which will be hosted by St. Olaf College (Minn.). Olivet College (Mich.) and the Greater Lansing Sports Commission will host the NCAA Division III Championship at Forest Akers Golf Course in Lansing, Mich., on Nov. 19.
 

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