CUMBERLAND, MAINE - For the eighth year in a row, the Keene State College men's cross country team is headed to the NCAA Division III Championships.

The Owls earned their trip to next Saturday's national meet at Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a third place finish at the New England Regional Championships held at the Twin Brooks Recreation Complex in Cumberland, Me., on Saturday.

"I thought the guys did a great job," said KSC Coach Peter Thomas. "Hopefully, we can pick it up a notch next weekend."

Hoping to join the KSC men in Wisconsin, the Owls placed a respectable 11th in the highly competitive 41-team women's field.

The Keene State men had 112 points to finish behind defending champ Tufts University (62 points) and Williams College (83 points). The top five teams earn NCAA berths. There were 39 teams in the men's field.

As he's done all season, All-America Dave Bridgewater (Unionville, Conn.) led the Owls with his strong third place finish on the 8,000-meter course with a time of 25:51.

Other top finishers for KSC included Ryan Gough (Billerica, Mass.; 22nd/26:47), Joseph Hegarty (Springfield, Mass.; 25th/26:52), Matthew Haley (Middleton, Mass.;26:58), and Patrick Ard (Kingston, N.H.; 32rd/27:00). The Owl's top five runners earned All-New England Region honors.

MIT's Ben Schmecker was the men's individual winner with a time of 25:37.

Senior Stephanie Gibson (Sanborton, N.H.) paced the Owl women with her 24th place finish on the 6,000-meter course. Gibson, who earned All-New England honors posted a personal best time of 22:57 on the 6,000-meter course.

Laurie Yorgensen (Wetherfield, Conn.; 62nd/23:53), Erin Landon (Hampton, Conn.; 63rd/23:55), Shannon O'Brien (Tilton, N.H; 70th/24:04), and Jennifer Adams (Saratoga Srpings, N.Y; 79th/24:22) round out KSC's top finishers.

Defending national champion Middlebury College (58 points) edged Williams College (64 points) for the team title. KSC finished with 298 points.

Caroline Cretti of Williams placed first in the race (21:27).