Issued: December 10, 2002

MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY PRESENTED AWARDS AND LETTERS

EAU CLAIRE - The UW-Eau Claire men's cross country team was presented with season awards and letters at its annual banquet here in Eau Claire.

The Blugolds finished ahead of 90 teams and behind only 38 teams in the nine events they competed in where team scores were kept in the 2002 season. The Eau Claire runners performed exceptionally well at the Midwest Long and Short Course which they hosted in Colfax. The Blugolds finished second out of nine teams in the 5,000 meter course and fourth out of 14 in the 8,000 meter course.

Matt Goertz (Jr-Manitowoc/Lincoln) was given the Most Valuable award as he finished first on the Blugold team in the first five events he competed in. Goertz finished 35th out of 240 runners at the NCAA Midwest Regionals.

The Most Improved Award was presented to Ethan Kreul (So-Poynette) as he finished first for the Blugolds in both the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships as well as the NCAA Midwest Regionals. He finished 28th out of 240 competitors at the Midwest Regionals.

Chad McCartney (Sr-Green Bay/Preble) was given the Special Award for Outstanding Leadership finishing second on the Blugold team in five of the seven events he participated in.

Newcomer of the Year Award went to Zach Severson (Fr-Sun Prairie) as he was the most contributing freshman of this year's group.

Along with season award winners, Blugold runners were also presented with letters for their achievements during the 2002 season. All four award winners also won letters for the season along with Tom Anderson (So-Platteville), Jeff Burkart (Jr-Marshfield), Adam Condit (So-La Crosse/Central), Nick Hardt (Sr-Galesville (G-E-T), Micah Hernandez (So-Milwaukee/Wisconsin Lutheran), Peter Macky (Fr-Grafton), Mark Meunier (Sr-Galesville/G-E-T), and Tyler Moe (Fr-Onalaska).