Michigan State will host the Big Ten Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships on Sunday, Nov. 2 at 10:45 a.m. at Forest Akers East Golf Course. With six returning All-American's in the men's race, three women's track All-American's and both defending champions it will be an exciting event to watch.

It's been ten years since MSU has held the event and five since U of M played host. For those that have never attended a major cross country meet, it has a certain reverence that goes beyond the invitational races. Many great teams and individuals have graced the turf of this meet held on some of the finest college golf courses.

On the Men's side: Wisconsin has been a dominant force. Not only winning the last four Big Ten titles but twenty-one of the last twenty-six. Michigan has been the only team to break up the string. Michigan State was a powerhouse in the fifties and sixties. They last won the championship in 1970 and 71. Still MSU has more NCAA National titles with five while Wisconsin and Indiana have three.

Individual stars over the years have included Olympians such as Craig Virgin, Bob Kennedy and Michigan's Kevin Sullivan. Each won the event all four years they competed.

Like their teams and athletes, several coaches have dominated the coach of the year awards. Wisconsin's Martin Smith and Jerry Schumacher have won the title a combined nine times over the last seventeen years. Renowned Ron Warhurst of Michigan has earned the honor four times during his nineteen year tenure. Jim Stintzi has won it twice in his twenty years as coach of MSU.

Last week's NCCA National poll lists Wisconsin as number two, Michigan in sixth and Ohio State seventh. Defending champ, Matt Tegenkamp will have Wisconsin NCCA All-Americans Bobby Lockhart and Adam Wallace at his side as they try to avoid the being a National Champ bridesmaid for the third time in five years.

On the home front, Michigan's Nick Willis will be one to watch after being named Big Ten Athlete of the week for his seventh place finish at the NCAA pre nationals in Iowa.

Like its men's team, Wisconsin women have dominated the Big Ten, winning thirteen of the twenty-two meets held. However, like the last two years, it looks like a tight battle between MSU and U of M will unfold. MSU is ranked sixth nationally, followed by Michigan tenth and Wisconsin eighteenth. 

Senior harrier, Michelle Carson earned her third straight Big Ten Athlete of the Week for MSU from her performance at a recent 6km meet. Teammate Jamie Krzyminski, who finished second to Carson at last year's Big Ten meet, and the Spartan's home field advantage should be major factors in regaining their title.

Michigan's Rebecca Walter and Penn State's Molly Landreth have been the catalysts to their team's outstanding performances. Look for both to gain All Big Ten Honors.

Michigan's Mike McGuire was named coach of the year in 2002. It was the fourth time he has received the honor during his eleven seasons with the Wolverines. MSU's Jim Stintzi will be in line to get the recognition back if the Spartans perform to their expectations.

Logistics: The Women's 6 km race begins Sunday at 10:45 am and the men's 8 km race starts at 11:30 am. The course is located just east of I 496 near the corner of Mt. Hope and Harrison Roads.

Go to http://www.bigten.org/PressReleases/20031017/cross-2003-championship.cfm for more information.