COLFAX, Wash. — Rapid City Stevens High School graduate Simeon Birnbaum and the University of Oregon men’s cross-country team earned an NCAA automatic qualifying bid on Nov. 15. All nine regionals were contested Friday with the top-two men's and women's teams from each meet advancing to the NCAA meet automatically.

At the NCAA West Region Championships, the Oregon men’s cross-country team finished as runner-ups and automatically qualified for the NCAA Championships on Saturday, Nov. 23, in Madison, Wisconsin. 

On the heels of his fourth-place finish at the Big Ten meet two weeks ago, Birnbaum finished eighth at the regional in 29 minutes and :12.6 seconds. The Oregon men finished with 68 points, finishing behind first-place Washington (66) by two points. 

Birnbaum was recently named the Big Ten freshman of the year. He was fourth in the men's 8K at the Big Ten meet and the first freshman across the line. 

Earlier this season, he was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week for his efforts at the Cowboy Jamboree (Sept. 28). Birnbaum has finished among the Ducks' top three in his three appearances this year.