Inside Iowa State
Nov. 10, 1995


ISU To Host National Race

by Anne Dolan
The men's cross country team has the opportunity to defend 
its national title on its home course. ISU is hosting the 
national collegiate cross country championships Monday, Nov. 
20, and if it qualifies during a regional meet tomorrow (Nov. 
11), the team will defend its 1994 title at home.

The Iowa State women's team also hopes to qualify for the 
national race at the regional event in Stillwater, Okla. The 
Cyclone women were ranked first in the region last week.

The national event will be only the second race held on the 
new Iowa State course, south of the Cap Timm Field and west 
of the Towers residence halls. A national preview race, 
featuring 40 teams from around the country, was held Oct. 14.

Head men's cross country coach Bill Bergan said he believes 
Iowa State is the only Division I school in the country to 
build its own course exclusively for cross country running. 
Other schools use city or county parks and golf courses.

Iowa State hosted the national championships in 1988, but the 
race was run at Jester Park in western Polk County. Bergan 
said he had visions of a course on the current site back 
then, but even by 1992, when Iowa State was awarded the 
national race for 1995, no decision had been made on 
constructing a course.

"I have President (Martin) Jischke and Reid Crawford and Gene 
Smith to thank for their support of this project," Bergan 
said. "It's a one-of-a-kind course."

The men's 10,000-meter race will begin at 11 a.m. Nov. 20. 
The women's 5,000-meter run follows at noon. Admission is $4 
for adults. Because Iowa State is on Thanksgiving break that 
week, Bergan said parking will be available in the Towers 
lots or along State Street.

__________
University Relations
Iowa State University