WINNECONNE, Wis. - The UW-Eau Claire women's cross country team placed second out of 37 teams today at the NCAA Midwest Regional, hosted by UW-Oshkosh at Lake Breeze Golf Course in Winneconne, Wis.

Washington University won the event with a team score of 41 points. UW- Eau Claire followed and was the first of many WIAC teams to follow. UW- Eau Claire finished with 87 points. UW- Platteville finished in third place with 99 points. UW- La Crosse was fourth with 113 points, and UW-Oshkosh rounded out the top five with 221 points. UW-River Falls' Becca Jordahl finished first individually, running a 21:05.

The Blugolds had four of their top five runners in the top 25. Leading the way was Beth Lutz (Jr.-Eau Claire, WI/Memorial). Lutz finished in fourth place overall and ran a 21:27. Last year at the Regional, Lutz finished in 20th place. Following Lutz was Mary Palmer (Jr.-Anoka, MN). The junior ran a 21:44 and finished in seventh place overall. Senior Molly Warner (Mosinee, WI) finished in 16th place overall and ran a 22:04. Last year Warner placed 10th. Hannah Humbach (So.-Madison, WI/Abundant Life Christian) was finished fourth for the Blugolds and placed 24th overall. Humbach ran a 22:24. Amber Hertz (Sr.-Baraboo, WI) placed 36th overall and ran a 22:43. Following Hertz was Jaime Arentz (Jr.-Cashton, WI). Arentz finished in 50th place and ran a 22:58. Claudia Borlee (Jr.-Green Bay, WI/Preble) ran a 23:21 and placed 65th.

The Blugolds automatically qualify for the NCAA Division III National Cross Country Meet on Saturday, November 17, hosted by St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. The action starts at 11 a.m.

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