Nov. 16, 2008

DAVIS, Calif. - UC Davis senior cross country runners Kim Conley and Kaitlin Gregg have both officially earned at-large berths into the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships, it was announced Sunday afternoon. The seniors become the first Aggie cross country runners since Patti Gray in 1983 to receive berths into the D-I championship meet.

The UC Davis women's team was also in the mix for an at-large berth after finishing sixth in yesterday's West Regional, but was not selected. The Aggie men finished 11th at regionals to end their season.

Kaitlin Gregg. (Photo by Jim von Rummelhoff, UC Davis)

"Saturday's results represent a fruition of two important individual goals," said Aggie head coach Drew Wartenburg. "Kim and Kaitlin's accomplishments represent a pivotal benchmark for this program. Although we came up shy of our team goal,the foundation and motivation for the future should remain abundantly clear."

Conley and Gregg placed 12th and 16th, respectively, to earn all-region honors and gain consideration for a nationals berth. Along with the 31 teams who received berths, only 38 additional runners were chosen to compete for the national title.

In the past, NCAA Division II and III athletes could qualify for the D-I championships with good enough showings at their respective championship meet. Gray with the last Aggie to achieve that honor, which no longer exists.

Indiana State will host the national meet at the LaVern Gibson Championship Course in Terre Haute, Ind. on Monday, Nov. 24. The meet begins with the women's six-kilometer race at 9:08 a.m. Pacific Time. The entire championship meet can be seen live on CBS College Sports Network or via web stream at NCAA.com.

UC Davis Aggies Cross Country

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