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Spokane, WA – Panther distance runners Elizabeth Eickelberg and Nick Filippazzo took on the field at the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships earlier this afternoon at Plants Ferry Athletic Complex in Spokane, Washington. Both runners impressed with top-55 finishes in their respective races.
 
Eickelberg was the first to toe the line in the women's 6,000m run. The Leonia, NJ native placed 54^th overall in a time of 22:05; just four second off of her personal best. For the first 3k, the senior clocked in at 10:51 and split the second half of the race in 11:14. The mark is a 73 spot and 31 second time improvement from a year ago at nationals. Additionally, she was the fifth runner to cross the line from the East Region.
 
Jennifer Agnew of the University of Mary was the overall victor in 20:50 while Grand Valley State took home the team title with 54 points.
 
In the men's 10k field, Filippazzo clocked in at 31:18; a near identical time from his performance at the regional meet. He finished in 41^st overall and was just one spot out of All-American consideration. The senior transfer went out in 15:22 through his first 5k and then picked off 11 positions through the second half of the race. Filippazzo was the second runner from the East Region to cross the line.
 
Tabor Stevens of Adams State was the overall winner of the race in 29:50 while his squad also won the team title with 54 points.
 
Coach's Thoughts on Eickelberg
"The goal was top-40 which would have been All-American," explained Head Coach Katie Rees. "She went out and put herself in contention in the first half and was around the top-40 which is exactly where we wanted. The early, fast pace started to catch up to her on the last loop and took its toll. However, she finished strong and made a huge improvement from last year. I could not be any more proud of the way Betsy performed today."
 
Coach's Thoughts on Filippazzo
"We talked about racing how he usually does; go out controlled and move up each mile," stated Rees. He worked his way up and was hovering around 40^th place through four miles which was perfect, but he got nipped at the line for 41^st. It was his first NCAA event and Filippazzo raced exceptionally well. I'm very happy with the way he ran and how things turned out today."