Nov. 14, 2006

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Eight Spartans were named to the Great Lakes All-Region Team by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association on Nov. 14. To be considered for the All-Region team, athletes must finish in the top 25 of their region and meet NCAA Division I Cross Country Coaches Association requirements.

Representing the men's squad is junior Stephan Shay and seniors Matt Bartlebaugh and Justin Zanotti. The three helped No. 26 MSU to a fourth-place finish at the regional meet and an at-large bid to the NCAA Championships. Shay paced the Green and White for the fifth-straight meet this season, placing 12th in 31:33.80. Zanotti took 16th (31:38.16) and Bartlebaugh finished 21st (31:47.73).

The Spartan women had five selections on the USTFCCA All-Region list, after the team captured the Great Lakes Regional Championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships. The win also had an effect on the national polls, as Michigan State jumped from No. 11 to No. 4 in the nation. The Spartans will be making their sixth-straight appearance at the national meet.

Representing the women's team is senior Michelle Rafferty, sophomores Alissa McKaig and Sarah Price, and juniors Nicole Bush and Katie Kelly. McKaig led the way at the regional meet placing second overall in a time of 21:00.26. Rafferty was not far behind, placing seventh at 21:03.59. Bush (12th, 21:25.63), Kelly (17th, 21:49.38) and Price (25th, 21:58.07) rounded out the Spartan top five.

Indiana State University will host this year's National Championships, at the LaVern Gibson Championship Course located at the Wabash Valley Family Sports Center, in Terre Haute, Ind., on Nov. 20. The women's race will begin at noon Eastern time followed by the men's race at 1:15 p.m.