Railsplitter Cross Country News

Lincoln Memorial Women Earn First Trip To NCAA Cross-Country Nationals

WINGATE, NC -- The Lincoln Memorial University women's cross-country team earned their first-ever trip to the NCAA Nationals with a second place finish at the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional cross country championship on Saturday. (Results)

In the women’s 6K race, N.C. Central had five runners in the top 20 to take the team win. The Eagles posted 61 points, easily outdistancing South Atlantic Conference member Lincoln Memorial University by 53 points. The Railsplitters compiled 114 points. N.C. Central head coach Michael Lawson was named Southeast Region Coach of the Year following the meet.

Both N.C. Central and LMU will make their first appearances at the NCAA Nationals. The 2006 national meet will be held Saturday, November 18 in Pensacola, Fla. (hosted by the University of West Florida) during the NCAA Division II Fall Festival.

LMU was led by senior Cherie Kern (11th, 24:24), who also earned All-Region honors with the top 15 finish. Other LMU participants were Helena Sokolova (17th, 24:45), Emily Burke (23rd, 25:15), Michelle Ratliff (25th, 25:19), Jennifer Ely (29th, 25:52), Kathleen Rollet (78th, 27:35) and Deidre Ratliff (80th, 27:37).

All total, 127 women completed the 6K race. After N.C. Central and Lincoln Memorial, the top five teams were Mars Hill (third, 123 points), Anderson (fourth, 143 points) and Wingate (fifth, 154 points).

For additional comments please contact,
Head Coach: Brandon Gibbs
Phone: (423) 869-6201