Spartan Women Dominate All-South Region Team
NEW ORLEANS - The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) recognized nearly 400 athletes that earned All-Region awards for cross country in Division II following the NCAA Regional Championships.
The University of Tampa women's cross country team placed six on the team as its men had two. Athletes of member schools that finished in the top 25 individually at one of the eight regional sites earned the honor.
NCAA South Region champion Kelly Hagan headlined the all-region team for Tampa as teammates Kaia Hampton, Danielle Kissel, Courtney Ragan, Iolani Scanlan and Laura Yarrow were also recognized. On the men's side, Charles Toledo and Tory Webb represented the Spartans.
Edinboro and Alaska Anchorage led men's teams with all seven of their athletes earning All-Region honors. Chico State, Adams State, Augustana (S.D.), and Western State followed with six each. Mount Olive had three freshmen take All-Region distinctions - the most in the nation.
On the women's side, Adams State, Chico State, and Stonehill each went a perfect 7-for-7 in the All-Region category. Grand Valley State, Tampa, and Alaska Anchorage tallied six All-Region awards.
Among conferences, the men's teams of the RMAC captured 23 All-Region plaudits, followed by the Northeast-10 (21) and PSAC (20). The PSAC had the most women on the All-Region honor roll with 22 with 11 of the league's schools represented. The Northeast-10 with 20 and RMAC with 19 followed as top conferences in All-Region women.
Missouri Southern will host the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, November 17, at the MSSU Cross Country Course in Joplin, Mo.
The USTFCCCA will release the final regular-season national coaches' rankings of the season in Division II on Wednesday. In addition, regional athletes and coaches of the year will be named Wednesday.