Mark Twain invented the character Tom Sawyer years ago. But what took place Saturday (Nov. 20) at E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park in Louisville, KY, was not fiction.

At the 2010 NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Cross Country Championships, both Ashland University teams nearly reached a dream. The ups and downs of the day would read like a novel penned by someone like Twain.

The AU men finished fifth out of 21 teams. The top four teams in the region advance to the NCAA Division II Championships, which will also be held at Sawyer State Park. Grand Valley State (21 points) won the regional crown with Southern Indiana (81) finishing as the regional runner-up. The host school, Bellarmine (126) tied with Drury for third place. Ashland (131) was fifth. Those five schools separated themselves from the rest of the pack. Wisconsin-Parkside (194) was sixth.

The Ashland women were also fifth. On the women’s side, the top three teams got bids to nationals. Grand Valley State (26) is the regional champ with Ferris State (79) finishing as the runner-up. Hillsdale (138) was third, Wayne State (152) was fourth and AU (159) was fifth.

In the men’s race, the top two individuals outside of the qualifying teams get a trip to nationals. The top two women outside of the qualifying teams also earn berths at the championship meet. Unfortunately for the Eagles, they narrowly missed out on sending anyone back to Louisville for the title race.

The men’s regional championship race was a 10K affair. Grand Valley State runners claimed three of the top four slots. Tyler Emmorey was first (30:58.72) and his teammate, Anthony Witt, was second (30:58.77). Drury’s Jaime Villa Zapatero was third (31:03.05) and GVSU’s Paul Zielinski was fourth (31:09.65).

AU’s top finisher was junior Brock Weaver (Ashland, Ohio). He crossed the finish line in 31:48.69, good for 13th place. Junior Matt Straman (Chardon, Ohio), another junior was 16th (31:59.74), junior Cameron Johnson (Mt. Gilead, Ohio) was 19th (32:01.96) and sophomore Colton Johnson (Mt. Gilead, Ohio) was 23rd (32:08.75).

In the women’s race, seven of the top eight finishers were GLIAC runners.

Christina Muir of Ferris State led the pack over the 6K course, finishing in 21:05.96. Grand Valley State’s Katherine McCarthy was second (21:10.70) and Erin Brunko of Hillsdale was third (21:21.33). Sara Dugan of GVSU was fourth (21:25.98) and her teammate, Kylen Cieslak, was fifth (21:29.83).

Stephanie Stoffel (Cincinnati, Ohio/Glen Este), a sophomore, set the pace for the Eagles, finishing 10th in 21:49.87.

Senior Leah Allen (Circleville, Ohio) was 28th (22:38.76) and senior Ashley Gregory (New Albany, Ohio) was 31st (22:44.72). Junior Mandy Farson (Massillon, Ohio/Jackson) was 35th (22:48.61).