WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.—Braving wintry weather and stiff competition, the University of Evansville cross country teams concluded the 2008 season on Saturday at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Championships in West Lafayette, Indiana.

 

Junior Greg Pulscher paced the UE men to a 24th-place finish by placing 109th overall in a 10-K time of 34:05.9. Pulscher’s time ranks as one of the top 15 10-K times in school history. Sophomore Brian Denny finished second on the UE squad, and 135th overall with a 10-K time of 34:44.8, while Evansville natives Ryan Witters (34:47.5) and Brian Joyce (34:48.4) were not far behind in 138th and 139th place respectively.

 

“I thought that the men ran well, considering the conditions and how tough the course was,” said UE head coach Don Walters. “With all seven runners on the men’s side coming back next year, hopefully, they can learn from today’s race and build on their performances today next season.”

 

On the women’s side, the Purple Aces placed 33rd as a team, led by senior Franny Enzler. The former Evansville Memorial product, running in her final race as a Purple Aces, posted a personal-best 6-K time of 24:54.0 to lead UE’s pack. The UE women placed their top five runners within 40 seconds of one another in the 6-K, with both Enzler and fellow seniors Megan (25:31.3) and Katie Bowlds (26:31.8) posting personal-best 6-K times in their final races at UE.

 

“I was really proud of the way my seniors ran today on the women’s side,” said Walters. “All three of them gave me everything they had and came up with personal-best times. I really can’t ask much more of them, and they have been a big part of our success this year, both on and off of the cross country course. I am fortunate to have been able to have worked with them over the last four years as their head coach.”

 

On the women’s side, Michigan State’s Nicole Bush won the individual title in a time of 20:48.5, while Big Ten power Michigan edged Wisconsin for the overall team title, 72-80. On the men’s side, Notre Dame’s Patrick Smyth took home individual honors in a time of 31:06.4, while Big Ten champion Wisconsin ran away from the field, placing its top five runners all in the individual top 20, to win the overall team title.

 

Individual UE Results From The 2008 NCAA Great Lakes Regional Championships

 

MEN (all times for 10-K, individual champion: Patrick Smyth, Notre Dame, 31:06.4)

 

109. Greg Pulscher      34:05.9

135. Brian Denny        34:44.8

138. Ryan Witters       34:47.5

139. Brian Joyce         34:48.4

153. Ethan Merkel       35:17.0

166. Nicholas Tyree    35:48.5

179. Steven Matthews 36:29.6

 

Team finish: 24th of 28

Total number of runners: 197

 

WOMEN (all times for 6-K, individual champion: Nicole Bush, Mich. State, 20:48.5)

 

184. Franny Enzler      24:54.0

190. Courtney Heller   25:01.6

196. Arrena Svoboda 25:24.7

199. Melissa Truex      25:28.7

201. Megan Bowlds    25:31.3

211. Lauren Schaftlein 26:21.9

217. Katie Bowlds      26:31.8

 

Team finish: 33rd of 34