Cancello Qualifies for National as Spartans Compete at NCAA South Regional

ST. LEO, Fla. – The University of Tampa women's cross country team concluded its 2016 season with a fifth-place effort at the 2016 NCAA Division II South Regional, which was hosted by Saint Leo University.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
UT Finish: 5th, 137 points
Team Champion: Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras, 75 points
Location: The Abbey Course | St. Leo, Fla.
Host Institution: Saint Leo University
Distance: 6K
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TOP SPARTAN PERFORMERS:
• Claudia Cancello | 9th overall, 22:41.83

• Elaina Cancello | 28th overall, 23:45.21

• Thea Ramsey | 30th overall, 23:52.56

• Jasmine Garrett | 31st overall, 23:53.52

• Lexi Bible | 43rd overall, 24:21.47

OTHER NOTABLES:
• The Spartans were represented by seven runners at the South Regional.

• Following South Region champion Puerto Ricvo-Rio Piedras was host Saint Leo and Lee University from the Gulf South Conference.

• The top three teams from the regional advance to the 2016 NCAA Championships.

• With the ninth-place finish, C. Cancello has qualified for the NCAA Championships on November 19. Saint Leo University will also host the national championships

• C. Cancello has now finished in the top-10 at the regionals for all four years of her career. She was 10th as junior after being 5th as both a sophomore and freshman.

• Also running for Tampa were Vera Rae Swardstrom (49) and Ryleigh Donegan (60).

• This marks the 15th straight season where UT has competed in the South Regional. The Spartans previously won nine consecutive regional titles.

• The future continues to be bright for the program, as five of its seven runners were underclassmen. A pair of freshmen, Garrett and Bible, placed in the team's top five as Ramsey and Donegan are both sophomores. Swardstrom is also a freshman.

UP NEXT:
This concludes the 2016 season for the team, though Claudia Cancello will represent the Spartans at the 2016 NCAA Championships. For complete information on UT women's cross country, please visit TampaSpartans.com.

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