CEDAR CITY, Utah.  -  Western Illinois junior Carianna Cottone placed tenth, individually, at the 2009 Summit League Championships, Saturday Oct. 31, while the men's and women's cross country teams finished seventh and ninth, respectively.

Cottone, a Bloomington, Ill. native, earned second team all-league honors as she placed tenth in the women's 6K event in a time of 23:01. The last Western Illinois women's runner to receive all-conference accolades was Beth Whalen in 2007 (second team).

“The women's runners (in the conference) are really strong,” said Morris. “And, in that race, on that course and in that altitude, Carianna did really well.”

The Fighting Leatherneck women finished in ninth place with a team score of 218. Other top finishers were Josi Parker in 48th place (25:39), Alycia Thurston in 52nd (25:52), Chelsea Lynes in 57th (26:22), Julie Dietsch in 59th (26:27), Amanda Darnell in 66th (28:24) and Elizabeth Roy in 69th (29:20).

The Leatherneck men's team placed seventh with a team score of 185. Junior Tyler Buckles led the men with an 18th place finish in a time of 26:22.

“On the guys side, Tyler ran really great,” said Morris. “He was a few spots away from all-conference. That was probably the best race he's ever run.”

Other top runners included Jeremy Whitaker in 32nd place in a time of 26:59, Eric Anerino in 38th (27:32), Luke Miller in 49th (28:46), Chase Marlow in 54th (29:45), Torinn Pope in  59th (30:13), Jared Schmidt in 60th (30:14) and Aaron Russo in 65th (31:45).

The Championships presented the Leathernecks with a competitive field of regionally ranked teams as well as a difficult course. Cedar City provided a unique challenge as it sits at an altitude of almost 6,000 feet.

“We did a great job of getting ourselves prepared for today,” Western Illinois head cross country coach Matt Morris said. “Unfortunately, we did everything we could do and today just wasn't our day. And, there are some really good teams in our conference so you have to tip your hat to them.”

The Leatherneck cross country teams will compete next at the NCAA Regional Championships on Saturday, Nov. 14 in Springfield, Mo.

“I am very proud of the all of them. They handled all the conditions and everything really well. Now, we're just going to regroup back at home in the Midwest and get ready for regionals.”