Six members of the William woods University cross country team will compete in the 2009 National Association of Intercollegiate Cross Country National Championships on Saturday, November 21.  Vancouver, Wash., is the site for this year’s National Championships.  The event will take place at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, and is comprised of 650 student-athletes representing 130 NAIA institutions.  The men’s 8k will begin at 10:30 am.  The women’s 5k will begin at 11:45 am.

Jason Rose, Emmanuel Ramirez and Ryan Meyer qualified for the Owls on the men’s side.  The Owls have never sent three individual runners to the NAIA National Championships in one season.  In fact, in the relatively short history of the men’s cross country program, William Woods had sent a total of three runners to the event (Juan Robles in 2005 and Brent Almand and Phil Guidry in 2008).

Rose, a junior from Lenexa, Kan., finished second at the American Midwest Conference Championships on November 7.    His time at the AMC race was the ninth fastest time in the history of the program (25:50.89).  Rose, the AMC Newcomer of the Year, will be making his first trip to the National Championships.

Ramirez, a senior from Des Plaines, Ill., finished fourth at the AMC Championships.  He completed the race in 25:58.60.  This will be his first trip to the National Championships as well.

Meyer, a freshman from Bonnots Mill, Mo., finished fifth at the AMC Championships.  Meyer has the fourth, and 10th, fastest times in the history of the WWU program.  Like Rose and Ramirez, this will be his first trip to Nationals.

Kristi Palmer, Cheryl Held and Amy Gangloff qualified for the Owls on the women’s side.  The Owls qualified as a team in 2006.  That was the only year in which they sent more than two runners to the National Championships.

Palmer, a junior from Ste. Genevieve, Mo., is no stranger to the national stage.  This is her third appearance at the National Championships.  Palmer finished 215th out of 268 runners her freshman year and 72nd out of 327 runners her sophomore year.

Held, a sophomore from Wildwood, Mo., is making her second consecutive trip to the National Championships.  In a season shortened by injury, Held finished fifth at the AMC Championship meet on November 7th.  During the 2008 season, Held finished 111th out of 268 runners at the National Championships.

Gangloff, a freshman from Wellsville, Mo., finished sixth at the AMC Championships.  Gangloff, the AMC Freshman of the year, will have a set of experienced teammates on her first trip to Nationals.

Head men and women’s cross country coach Brayce Forsha is in his second year at William Woods.  During his brief tenure, Forsha has sent 10 cross country qualifiers to the National Championships.  “Overall, I thought our season was good,” said coach Forsha.  “This will be the first NAIA National Championship meet for our young men.  I expect all three to compete like they have all year.  Our women have overcome a lot this year.  I expect them to take full advantage of this opportunity.”

Excitement and focus were two emotions expressed by  Ramirez.  “My expectation is to have a strong race with great results.  I’m excited about going to Nationals, but I am going to try to stay focused on why I’m there.  Our preparation has stayed the same and coach expects us to give 110 percent.”

Meyer, who has had an exceptional freshman season, is treating Nationals like any other race.  “My expectation coming into this meet is to do what I am capable of doing.  I’m treating this just like any other race.  Ever since I was a freshman in high school I’ve wanted to be a part of something huge, and the time finally came.  I’m not worried at all about the outcome because I feel very confident that coach has done his best to prepare us.”

For Gangloff, the realization of qualifying for Nationals is still sinking in.  “I know it may sound kind of silly but I really don’t know what to expect.  This is a completely different race than I’ve ever been in.  Kristi (Palmer) and Cheryl (Held) both know what the meet consists of, but I think I’m ready for the challenge.  I don’t think it’s hit me yet.”

Injuries slowed Held early in the season.  Overcoming those injuries has made her second trip to Nationals a special experience.  “I’m thrilled going to Nationals because I was not sure I was going to be able to compete this year.  After taking close to five months off, I’m very excited to qualify.  Placing in the top 30 and becoming an All-American is my ultimate goal, but I’m also happy that I get to experience it with my teammates.”

It is business as usual for Palmer.  She is making her third trip to Nationals.  “My primary expectation is to improve my overall placing compared to previous years.  My preparation hasn’t changed much.  Coach is taking care of the training aspect and I am continuing to do the little things to stay mentally and physically healthy for this last week.”

For coach Forsha, a healthy mix of veterans and rookies is a good sign for the future of the cross country programs.  “Having only one male returner on the men’s side and still finishing second in conference was big for us and a good sign for the future.  With all the injuries on the women’s side, I was really proud to see these ladies finish the year strong.”

These six Owls will look to finish strong on Saturday in Vancouver, Wash.