William & Mary Advances to NCAA Women?s Cross Country Championship

11/9/2012 9:36:00 PM

RICHMOND, Va. (Nov. 9, 2012) - William & Mary earned an automatic-bid into the NCAA Women's Cross Country Championship as a result of its second-place finish at the Southeast Regional Friday afternoon in Charlotte, N.C. Other top-10 performances from the CAA were James Madison in sixth in the Southeast Region as well as Delaware in 10^th at the Mid-Atlantic Regional.

The Tribe, ranked at No. 19 in the latest USTFCCCA top 25 poll, scored 123 points in the race, behind only No. 10 Duke (81). Their second-place finish is the best-ever at the regional championships, and sends W&M to its seventh NCAA Championship and first since 2005. Leading the way for the Tribe was junior All-American Elaina Balouris, who finished seventh overall (20:37.12) to earn All-Region honors. Freshman Emily Stites became the best-finishing rookie in school history with her 10th-place showing, crossing the finish in 20:46.87 to join Balouris on the all-region team.

James Madison senior Katie Harman earned All-Region honors with a 14^th place finish in the Southeast Regional with a time of 20:59.80. It is Harman's second career All-Region award, and her second individual award this season after earning All-CAA honors at last month's CAA Championship. Harman's teammate Katie Gorman barely missed out on All-Region honors after finishing 26^th with a time of 21:22.45.

Delaware led the CAA in the Mid-Atlantic Regional in University Park, Pa. with a 10^th place finish. Junior Lindsay Prettyman paced the Blue Hens with a time of 22:06, while teammate senior Katie Deinert came in steps behind her with a time 22:08. Also in the Mid-Atlantic Regional, Towson earned a 24^th place finish with sophomore Elizabeth Tauber recording the top time for the Tigers at 22:44.

Also representing the CAA in the Southeast Regional was George Mason who brought home a 24^th place finish and UNCW who tallied a 28^th place finish. The Patriots were led by sophomore Bethany Sachtleben who crossed the line 30^th with a time of 21:28.94. Ashley Wybersky led the Seahawks with a time of 22:32.84.

At the Northeast Regional in Madison, Conn., the CAA was represented by Northeastern who collected a 34^th place finish and Hofstra who finished 36th. Danielle Klein paced the Huskies with a time of 23:08.10 while Rebecca Celorio led the pride with a time of22:50.4.

The NCAA Championships will next Saturday Nov. 17 in Louisville, Ky at 12:00 p.m. The seven other CAA squads and individuals that didn't receive an automatic bid are eligible to receive at-large bids to the championship which will be announced tomorrow at 12:00 p.m.