For the first time in school history, Northern Illinois University has been selected to serve as the host of the 2011 NCAA Division I Midwest Regional Cross Country Championships, the NCAA announced on June 24. The Huskies and DeKalb, Ill. will host the Midwest Regional Championships on Nov. 12, 2011 at the NIU “North 40”.
“Northern Illinois University is very proud to be chosen by the NCAA as the site for the 2011 NCAA Midwest Regional,” said NIU Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics Jeff Compher. “Our entire athletics department and administration is committed to providing a great experience for the student-athletes, coaches and fans who will travel to DeKalb for this event.”
One of nine regional championships sites, Northern Illinois will host 33 participating Division I Midwest cross country schools. Men’s and women’s cross country teams from the states of Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota will make their way to DeKalb, Ill. for the 2011 Midwest Regional Championships.
The participating men’s cross country teams will compete in a 10-kilometer race, while the women’s cross country teams will participate in a six-kilometer contest. The 2011 Midwest Regional Championships are scheduled to begin with the men’s 10k at approximately noon (CST), while the women’s 6k competition with follow at approximately 1:15 p.m. (CST).
All races will be held at the NIU North 40, which is located directly north of the Northern Illinois campus at Anderson Field. NIU’s cross country facility was developed with a design that offers the unique ability to observe almost the entire race from the field and has been home to both the 2005 Mid-American Conference Championships and the Annual Huskie Open.
“The NIU cross country and track and field team and the administration are extremely excited about being given the bid for the 2011 cross country regional championships,” head NIU cross country and track and field coach Connie Teaberry said. “This is a great step for the NIU program. This opportunity will bring a lot of area and Midwest, cross country programs to NIU and will allow us to really showcase our program, NIU and DeKalb.”
The NCAA Midwest Regional Championships will serve as the first round of the NCAA Championships. The top two teams and top four individuals from each regional championship will qualify for NCAA national cross country championships. Additional teams and individuals are chosen through an at-large process following the regional competition.
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