LAKELAND, Fla. - The Embry-Riddle women's cross-country team competed at the NCAA Division II South Region Championship on Saturday morning at Holloway Park. Florida Southern and Central Fl Sports hosted the South Regional Championship. The Eagles finished in third place and qualified for the NCAA Division II National Championship.
 
Embry-Riddle 3rd of 16 teams
The Eagles would be one of three teams that qualified for the National Championship as ERAU finished in third place with a team score of 104. Saint Leo won the event with a team score of 78. Lee University finished in second place just ahead of Embry-Riddle with a team score of 94. The Blue and Gold finished with a total time of 1:554:42 and had an average time of 22:57. Saint Leo's Colett Rampf won the event as she finished with a time of 20:49.14. Caren Bartuin of West Alabama finished in second place with a time of 21:41.78.
 
The Eagles
Embry-Riddle was spectacular on the course as ERAU had three runners finish in the top 25. Not only did three runners medal (finish in the top 25), but the Eagles were the only school to have all seven runners finish in the top 50. Sarah Edens was the top finisher for the Blue and Gold, finishing in third place with a time of 21:55.05 (Personal Record). Alex Orr was the next top finisher placing eighth with a time of 22:29.60 (Personal Record). Kristen Metcalfe finished 24^th with a time of 23:10.77 (Personal Record), Nicole Kvitkauskas finished in 33^rd with a time of 23:32.69 (Personal Record), Marina LeVine finished in 35^th with a time of 23:33.47 (Personal Record), Maggie Allen finished in 44^th with a time of 23:49.83 (Personal Record) followed directly by Mikaela Hakamaa who finished 45^th with times of 23:49.91.
 
Rosolino's Remarks
"What an amazing day for the women!  We had six out of seven hit their best time ever.  I am very excited to see them qualify as a team for nationals.  They have worked hard all season and truly run for each other.  We needed everyone to step up today and they all did.  Our top 3 today really had amazing races. I am so proud of this group of women."
 
Next Up
The Eagles will be back in action on November 18^th as they travel to Evansville, Indiana, to compete for the 2017 Division II National Championship. This will be the first chance at a National Championship for the women's cross country team in program history.