Wingate Women Bring Home Regional Title; Catawba Qualifies for Nationals

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- The No. 7 Wingate University women's cross country team had four student-athletes finish in the top eight as the Bulldogs claimed their third consecutive NCAA Division II Southeast Region championship at the Milliken Research Park Saturday. Catawba also clinched a spot to nationals with a third-place finish. 

Bulldog senior Mia Cabrera finished second, thanks to her personal-best time of 21:09.5.
 
A transfer from California Baptist, Cabrera led the aforementioned 2-4-6-8 finish for the South Atlantic Conference champions. Wingate freshman Firdaouss Hriche claimed fourth place with a personal-best time of 21:27.1. Interestingly enough, Hriche finished fourth on the same course during September's Southeast Region preview.

Catawba was paced by three-time SAC Runner of the Year Madison Clay who finished in third place overall with a time of 21:16.1. The Catawba Indians had three runners in the top 10 as Clay was joined by Hannah Caudill and Natalie Almond who finished ninth and 10th respectively. 

Anderson's Lucy Schmitt qualified for nationals as an individual thanks to her seventh-place finish at the meet. Schmitt crossed the finish line in 21:41.8. 

Lincoln Memorial finished fourth as a team and had Grace Rose come in 11th with a time of 21:53.6. Reaghan Cude came in 18th for the Railsplitters. The fourth-place finish was a program best for LMU.

Anderson took fifth at the meet and Lenoir-Rhyne placed eighth.