Top-ranked UW-La Crosse men’s XC wins regional, automatic bid to NCAAs, while women take 3rd and get at-large bid

The UW-La Crosse men’s and women’s cross country teams are headed to the Division III National Championships.

The top-ranked UW-L men won the DIII North Regional over the weekend, with three runners placing in the Top 4 — Isaac Wegner in second (24:03.6 on the 8,000-meter course), Ethan Gregg third (24:03.7) and Grant Matthai fourth (24:16.4).

The win secured an automatic bid to Nationals.

Meanwhile, the 12th-ranked UW-L women’s team was awarded an at-large bid Sunday, after placing third in the North Regional.

The Eagles’ top runner was Katelyn Chadwick, finishing in 11th (22:06.1 on the 6,000-meter course)

UW-L takes part in the NCAA Championships Saturday at Big Spring High School in Newville, Penn. The women’s 6k begins at 10 a.m., followed by the men’s 10k at 11:15 a.m.