FREEMAN, TWIEST EARN TRIP TO NATIONALS; BATES X-COUNTRY FINISHES FIFTH OVERALL
 

LEWISTON, Maine -- Bates College senior co-captain Justin Freeman ofAndover, N.H., finished second overall at today's NCAA Division III New England Regional Cross Country Championships at Gorham, Maine, while sophomore teammate Matt Twiest of Albuquerque, N.M., placed sixth, earning each All-New England honors and a trip to the NCAA Division III National Championships Nov. 22 at Franklin Park in Boston.

Freeman has made the All-New England team each of his four seasons at Bates. He finished the snow-covered five-mile course in 26:18, two seconds behind individual champion Rob Mitchell of Amherst, the only Division III runner to defeat Freeman this season. Freeman will be making his second trip to the NCAA Cross Country Championships. Two years ago, he finished 81st out of 184 runners. Last season, Freeman earned All-America honors in nordic skiing, where he was the first American to finish the 10-K classical race, placing third overall.

Twiest has earned his second All-New England honor and trip to the national championships in as many years. He finished the course in 26:55. Last season, Twiest was the first first-year runner to finish at the NCAA Championships, coming in 43rd overall.

Coach Al Fereshetian's squad placed fifth as a team with 126 points, down two places from last-year's tie for third. Click here for full results.