Nov. 19, 2004

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy sophomore Chris Parks will be in search of national prominence Saturday in Colfax, Wis., as the La Pine, Ore. native will be competing at his first NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships. The race, hosted by Wisconsin-Eau Claire, is scheduled to get underway at 12 Noon (EST).

Parks earned a spot in the championships by having a career afternoon last Saturday (Nov. 13) at the NCAA Atlantic Regional Championships. He placed ninth, good for all-region status, in a PR time of 25:37.1. The All-CTC Conference honoree is the first USMMA runner to compete at the NCAA's cross country apex since 2002, when Chris Kapfer competed for the Mariners.

"Chris had a great performance at the Regional meet. It was a breakthrough performance, but one of which his training was indicative," said Mariners head coach Yolanda Flamino. "He's been working very hard and consistently since arriving on campus last year and it has paid dividends.

"His goal all year was to qualify for the NCAA Championships," continued Flamino, "and he deserves credit for keeping it in the forefront and always doing what was necessary to make it a reality."

Those who want to read more about the championships, and receive results as they become available of Parks' performance by viewing Wisconsin-Eau Claire's web site.