Tampa Runs to Sixth Straight NCAA South Region Title
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - The University of Tampa women's cross country team continued its NCAA South Region domination as it captured the program's sixth straight regional title. Kelly Hagan also won the individual championship for the Spartan women.
The regional title is the seventh in school history for UT as Hagan becomes the third straight Spartan to win the race as Heather Nicolosi won the previous two. The only other Tampa runner to win the regional was Jessica Forrester in 2008.
Tampa is one of three teams to advance to the NCAA Championships, doing so for the 10th straight season. The Spartan men, who finished seventh overall, did not advance to nationals.
UT placed five runners in the top-10, ending the race with 24 points to finish ahead of West Florida (102) and Nova Southeastern (103).
Hagan finished the 6K in 22:18.48, as freshman Laura Yarrow was second after being clocked at 22:27.43. Kaia Hampton (23:02.25), Courtney Ragan (23:04.02) and Danielle Kissel (23:05.11) occupied the seven through nine spots for Tampa.
Iolani Scanlan was 17th for the Spartans, finishing in a time of 23:34.97. Also running for UT was Christa McLeod (24:02.22), who was 28th overall.
In the men's race, Nova Southeastern (81) claimed the title as Alabama in Huntsville (96) and Florida Tech (116) each earned a berth in nationals.
Charles Toledo was the top runner for the Spartans as the senior finished 15th overall with a time of 32:54.63.
The Spartan women will run at the NCAA Division II Championships on Nov. 17 in Joplin, Mo.
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