Courtesy: WIU Visual Productions Center Senior Beth Whalen was named to The Summit League second team all-conference after finishing eighth.

MACOMB, Ill.- Senior Beth Whalen finished eighth and was named second team all-conference at the 2007 Summit League Championships at Spring Lake Park.

“Beth had a great race today,” said Western Illinois head coach Matt Morris. “She’s been the cornerstone of this program since she was a freshman and it’s been fun to watch her run well her senior year.”

The women’s team finished seventh out of 10 teams with a total of 148 points. They were 81 points behind co-champions Southern Utah and IPFW, with 67 points. Whalen (Bettendorf, Iowa/Bettendorf) lead Western Illinois with her eighth place finish, crossing the finish line at 22:22. Her second team all-conference selection was her second all-conference selection after being selected to the first-team in 2006. Senior Heather Wetzel (Waterloo, Iowa/Waterloo) was the next Western Illinois runner across the line, finishing 22nd with a time of 23:14.

“Beth was happy with her results,” stated Morris. “Our conference is so deep that she ran real well, but those girls that beat her are just too fast.”

Oral Roberts’ senior Faithy Kamangila won the women’s 6K with a time of 21:19. It was her third conference championship in her career.

The men’s team finished sixth out of 10 teams with a total of 146 points. Sophomore Challas Ray (Toledo, Ill./Cumberland) crossed the line first for the Western Illinois men’s team in 17th place with a time of 26:04. Fellow sophomore Eric Anerino (Naperville, Ill./North) finished 19th for Western with a time of 26:08. Freshmen Tyler Buckles and Mike McGraw finished 25th and 41st respectively.

“Cross country is a sport dominated by juniors and seniors because it’s such a strength sport,” Morris said. “It’s going to take some time, but I expect some big things from our guys in the future.”

Southern Utah won the team title with a total of 40 points. The Thunderbirds’ senior Mark Currell won the men’s 8K with a time of 24:47.

Western Illinois will head to Peoria, Ill. to take part in NCAA Midwest Regional, Sunday, November 11.