M.X.-C dreams of qualifying for NCAAs

Only a handful of men's cross country teams will have a realistic opportunity to qualify for the NCAA championships when over 30 teams line up at Franklin Park, Mass., on Saturday to run in the IC4A Championships. Penn's chances of qualifying are slimmer than Kate Moss, but the Quakers still aim to run with a high level of intensity. Two weeks after an encouraging but unimpressive seventh-place finish at the Heptagonal Championships, Penn is looking to defeat its rival schools in the final race of the season. "There was a big focus on Heps, but it has only been two weeks," Penn junior Paolo Frescura said. "We ran some hard workouts last week, and we realize that we are still in peak shape. As a group, we are going to run the best we can and go after some Ivy teams." While Penn battles its Ivy foes, nationally ranked teams including Penn State, Villanova, James Madison and Georgetown will fight it out over the fast 10-kilometer course for the three team berths to the NCAA championships. In a separate qualifying district, Brown looks to advance to the NCAAs by defeating a weaker crop of schools. "Some of the best schools in the country are in our district [district two]," Penn coach Charlie Powell said. "But Brown has a shot because they are in District I, and there isn't another top team after Providence in that district. It's unfortunate that the divisions are not more equitable." District divisions and the overwhelming number of elite teams could also play a factor in senior captain Matt Wilkinson's hopes to surprise the field and earn one of only six individual NCAA berths. Wilkinson, however, has tried to avoid worrying about his final race. "I keep running, but I don't worry about racing in the weeks between races," Wilkinson said. "I think about other things and build it back up [for race time]." The longer course -- 10 kilometers versus the usual eight -- will give Wilkinson an advantage. He dominated the Ivy League in the 10-kilometer race during last spring's outdoor track season, running a personal best of 30 minutes, 30 seconds. "It is definitely an advantage, but it won't make a whole lot of difference," Wilkinson said. "Any advantage in my favor is helpful, though." From the dozens of racers hoping to be at the front of the pack, Wilkinson hopes to judge his progress by staying with the runners from Navy who walked off with the top two spots at Heps. "I'm going to try and stay with the Navy guys that went one-two at Heps," Wilkinson said. "I should be able to run with them." Powell is confident in Wilkinson's ability to be competitive in the elite field. "He's in the best shape of his life," Powell said. "He's looking awesome in workouts. If he stays focused, he has a shot at it. "But the race is so fickle. There will be 40 to 50 top runners for six spots. To say that it's highly competitive would be a huge understatement. One mistake and you are out."

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