SMU
NCAA South Central Regionals
Cross Country Competes in South Central Regionals on Friday
Nov 9 | Cross Country
NCAA South Central RegionalsÂ
Cottonwood Creek Golf Course - Waco, TexasÂ
Friday, November 12, 2021 – 10 a.m. CTÂ
Live ResultsÂ
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Cross Country is traveling to Waco for the NCAA South Central Regionals taking place on Friday, Nov. 12. Hosted by Baylor, the race will be on the Cottonwood Creek Golf Course where the runners will take the start line at 10 a.m. Heading into race weekend, the Mustangs are ranked 8th in the South Central Region after a fourth-place finish at the American Athletic Conference Championship meet on Oct. 29.
The Mustangs have goals of far surpassing their current regionals ranking during Friday morning's race. Kaitlyn Gearin, who placed 2nd in the conference championship meet and has been gaining momentum all season, said the team is shooting for a top-five placement and to put themselves competing among the top teams in the region.
"All season, we have been right there, but we haven't had everything come together on one day," Gearin said. "I think that all of us are ready to give our all and fight for every place throughout the race."
After a slightly disappointing finish in the conference meet despite their highest finish since 2018, practice has been focused on maintaining health and fitness, with a mindset mantra of "controlling what is in their control" to prepare for this next race.
"Doing so keeps us running and allows our focus for NCAA Regionals to remain unchanged," Head Coach A' Havahla Haynes said. "The goal being, to place as high as possible as a team."
Haynes said post-conference Gearin and Maddie Hulcy, who was second across the line at conference championships for team with her 14th place finish, have shown they are capable of running in the top-25 at regionals. This would make them eligible for the NCAA Championships on Nov. 20.
"Top two teams are automatic qualifiers to the NCAA Championship, and any women who place in the top-25 individuals has the potential to be selected as an individual qualifier," Haynes said. "They select the top 4 individuals that are not part of an advancing team."
Gearin said that heading into the race, she is feeling good and fit. She said she feels good about the workouts they've done as a team this season, and she is excited for another opportunity to compete together.
"All of us are in a spot to have strong performances on Friday," Gearin said.
Gearin said all that is left to do at this point is to keep their training going and focus on the "little" things, such as stretching and getting good sleep, so they are ready to go on race day.
"At this point, we have a strong foundation of training behind us, so that has given us confidence in our workouts leading up to regionals," Gearin said
