Nov. 10, 2006

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State men's and women's cross country teams will compete at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional in Bowling Green, Ohio, at the Forrest Creason Golf Course on Nov. 11. The women's 6K race begins at 11 a.m., followed by the men's 10K race at 12:15 p.m.

The men's squad enters the race ranked No. 27 in the country and sixth in the region. The Spartans have been paced by Second-Team All-Big Ten selection Stephan Shay in every race this season. MSU placed seventh at the Great Lakes Regional Championship a year ago. Jim Pancoast was the top finisher for the Green and White, placing 23rd in 31:55.0.

The Spartan women are currently ranked No. 11 in the nation and third in the region. Sophomore Alissa McKaig has led MSU in every race this season, her first with the Spartans after transferring from Baylor. A First-Team All-Big Ten selection, McKaig has finished sixth or higher in every meet. Michelle Rafferty led Michigan State to a fifth-place finish at the regional meet in 2005, placing 16th in 21:42.1. Rafferty earned Second-Team All-Big Ten honors this season and was named an All-Regional performer in 2004.

Strong finishes would catapult each Spartan team to the NCAA Championships, hosted by Indiana State in Terre Haute, Ind., on Nov. 20. The women are eyeing their sixth-straight trip to the national stage, while the men are seeking a return after a one-year hiatus.