Eagles Earn At-Large Nationals Berth

Championship Field 

(11/7/07 - Men's Cross Country) Two-time defending national runner-up Concordia will once again run on the biggest stage in NAIA cross country as the Eagles were one of 15 teams awarded an at-large berth to the 52nd Annual Men's Cross Country National Championships, Saturday, November 17 at the Dr. Wayne E. Dannehl Cross Country Course in Kenosha, Wisc.

The Eagles, three-time defending GSAC champions and third place finishers at the recent NAIA Region II meet, make their return to the famed cross country course after last competing there in 2002. The race was held in Louisville, Kentucky the past four years where the Eagles enjoyed consecutive 2nd place finishes while combining with the women's team to take two-straight combined team national titles.

"Through faith in the program and each other, we've been able to experience fortunate events such as winning two races this season," said head coach Martin Gonzalez, speaking of victories at the Cal State Fullerton season opener before winning the conference crown. "The chemistry of this team is a big part of our success."

After losing the bulk of his squad from last season's national runner-up squad that spent most of the 2006 season atop the NAIA rankings, Gonzalez had his work cut out for him this season with a young group that returned just one runner who scored on a regular basis. However, the Eagles have shown the drive and determination that makes champions.

"We stayed in the top 10 nationally throughout this season with what was deemed a "rebuilding" team," said Gonzalez. "To be a threat to experienced, veteran teams is a success in itself for our team."

The 27th running of the NAIA championships in Kenosha will start for the men at 10:30 a.m. (CST)