Nov. 12, 2006

Columbia, Mo. - Missouri senior Tim Ross (Alto, Mich.) will compete in the 2006 NCAA Cross Country Championship next Monday, Nov. 20, in Terre Haute, Ind. Ross earned a spot in the Championship meet after finishing fifth in Saturday's Midwest Regional Championships, but most importantly by being the fourth runner not on an advancing team.

Mizzou Head Coach Jared Wilmes was happy to see Ross qualify for the national race.

"Were really excited about Tim making it to the Championship. We obviously aren't taking the whole team, but we were real close."

In fact, the Tigers were the last team out of the Championship field. There was one spot left, but Michigan State had one more win over a team already in the race and earned the spot.

Ross is coming off a great performance at the Midwest Region Championships, where he finished fifth to earn his third career All-Midwest Region honor. Next Monday's race will be his second NCAA Championship meet, he finished 233rd in 2004.