RELEASED: Nov. 24, 2004

DANVILLE, KY—The men's cross country team made Centre history this weekend as the first Colonels cross-country team to compete in the NCAA division III championships. After placing second in regional competition, eight men traveled to Eau Claire, Wis., to run in the national competition hosted the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

The team is now ranked 24th of 348 participating schools in NCAA Division III.

"The men going to nationals was history in the making," says assistant cross-country and track coach Jeremy Smith. "To have such a young, talented and deep team is a coach's dream. With most of these guys returning, it's great to look forward to next year's season."

The eight men who traveled to nationals were senior Matt Lally, juniors Jeff Briggs and Mark Noll, sophomores, Eric Hack and Anthony Lippert, freshmen Nate Blank, John Thompson and Michael Haworth.

Sophomore Eileen Schilling also ran this weekend, reclaiming her All-American status. After improving her personal best by 36 seconds, Schilling moved up two spots from last year to 33rd in the nation.

"Eileen had to run faster than she ever had before on a difficult course on a very cold day," says head cross country and track coach Lisa Owens. "She's an extremely self-determined, amazing young woman."

This is Schilling's third All-American title. Last year she was named All-American in both cross country and track.

To view photos from this weekend's competition, click here.

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Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Centre alumni, known for their nation-leading loyalty in annual financial support, include two U.S. vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices. For more, visit http://www.centre.edu/web/elevatorspeech/

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