Detroit to Host Michigan Intercollegiate Championships

DETROIT, MI (October 3, 2001)- The men's and women's cross country teams 
are gearing up for hosting the Michigan Intercollegiates, to be held 
October 12 in Milford, Michigan. The race will take place at the 
Kensington Metropark. Twenty-two women's teams and 20 men's teams are 
scheduled to compete, including many Michigan cross country collegiate 
programs, across all NCAA and NAIA levels.

Detroit will be joined by the defending champions Calvin (men) and 
Central Michgan (women) in addition to: Adrian, Albion, Alma, Aquinas, 
Concordia, Cornerstone, Eastern Michigan (W), Hillsdale, Kalamazoo, 
Macomb, Mott, Oakland CC, Oakland, Olivet, Rochester, Saginaw Valley, 
Siena Heights, Spring Arbor, Wayne State, Western Michigan (W).

"We are excited to host our state rivals in what is always a very 
competitive meet," said Detroit head cross country coach Guy Murray. 
"The course at Kensington is challenging so it will be interesting how 
the collegiate athletes fair in the first collegiate meet out there."

The event will feature some of the top cross country programs in the 
nation. Calvin won the NCAA Division III men's title in 2000 and is 
currently ranked third in the country in the D-III polls. Siena Heights 
is fifth and Aquinas #14 in the men's NAIA poll.

On the women's side, ranked teams include Calvin (fourth in the Division 
III poll); NAIA ranked teams Siena Heights (#22), Aquinas (#23) and 
Spring Arbor (#27).

So far in the 2001 season, many Detroit Titans harriers have been 
turning in superb performances. Ruthie Cook (Lansing, MI/Waverly) won 
the Central Collegiate Conference Championship race on September 29 in a 
UDM record time of 17:56. Chris McPhee (New Hamburg, ON/Waterloo-Oxford) 
won the Running Fit-UDM Invitational on September 8. Both Cook and 
McPhee are favoirtes to contend for individual honors.

The first race for October 12 is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. when the 
varsity men run their 8000 meter course. The varsity women run the 5000 
meter course at 5:15 p.m.

The Running Fit Open 5K will be held at 6 p.m. and is open to any runner 
of any age or ability for a $5 fee. Registration will be held at the 
meet site.

Kensington Park is off of I-96 between Brighton and Novi. Take exit 
#151- Kensington Road from the west or exit #153-Kent Lake Road from the 
east. Follow Park Road to course, start line at playfields next to 
Possum Hollow.

Local media is encouraged to attend. For more information, please 
contact David Taub (313) 993-1745.
-- 
David Taub
University of Detroit Mercy
Sports Information Assistant
(313) 993-1745 
(313) 993-1765 (fax)
www.DetroitTitans.com
[email protected]