Nov. 13, 2010
ROCHESTER, Mich. - Despite heading into the weekend unranked in the regional polls, the Purdue men's and women's cross country teams turned in eighth and 13th-place finishes, respectively, at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Championship, hosted by Oakland University at Katke-Cousins Golf Course on Saturday. The Boilermaker men totaled 229 team points, while the women finished with 348 points as both teams wrapped up the season.
The Purdue men were highlighted by an outstanding performance from sophomore Stephen Schulz, who demolished his career best for 10K with a mark of 30:42.7. The mark was almost three minutes faster than his previous personal record at the distance, good for 17th place individually and leaving Schulz with an outside shot at individual qualification for the NCAA Championships. Junior co-captain Cale Allen and classmate Charles White also set personal records at 10K, finishing 28th and 45th with times of 31:08.5 and 31:28.7, while senior Caden Shields split the pair in 36th place with a mark of 31:18.8. Sophomore Christopher Surfus capped the Purdue team score in 103rd, crossing the line in 32:29.6 in his first career 10K effort.
Sophomore Camille Buscomb paced the Boilermaker women, finishing 23rd overall with a time of 21:25.2, while classmate Kelly McCurdy had her top team finish of the season, turning in the squad's No. 2 time at 21:44.9, good for 43rd place. Junior Stephanie Bonk, senior Jennifer Hall and junior co-captain Kara Conflenti rounded out the Purdue scoring with respective times of 22:25.4, 22:38.1 and 22:41.7.
In order for Schulz to be eligible for a bid to nationals, he needs both Notre Dame and Ohio State to receive at-large team bids. The NCAA Championship fields will be announced Monday.