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Runners crave NCAA Regional success

Men’s team stands among contenders for Southeast Regional title after finishing second at ACCs; top two teams qualify for NCAA nationals

The Virginia men’s and women’s cross country teams compete in the NCAA Southeast Regional Championships in Charlotte, N.C. Friday. A team win or runner-up finish offers a guaranteed ticket to the NCAA National Championships in Louisville later this month. For most runners, Regionals represents the culmination of countless miles covered in practice this season. Simply put, this is why they run cross country.

The No. 21 men hope to build upon their success from the ACC Championships two weeks ago. Zach Gates, Graduate Arts & Sciences student, and redshirt freshman Kyle King placed fourth and fifth respectively to lead the Cavaliers to a second place finish, just six points behind champion No. 17 Virginia Tech. The men’s team hopes the momentum gained from such a strong ACC showing will translate into a monumental victory Friday.

“We’re going into this thinking we can win it,” freshman Connor Rog said. “We’re coming in with a little momentum, but we also want revenge.”

The women’s team was not as successful, leaving the Championship with a sixth-place finish despite an outstanding silver medal effort from Graduate Education student Catherine White. Unsurprisingly, the coaching staff would like to see the team muster a stronger performance in Charlotte.

“Sixth is never anything we want to be here,” women’s coach Todd Morgan said. “Like any team we have had some obstacles to overcome, and we need to do a better job of overcoming them.”

The women’s team believes its fortunes will improve come Friday, a sentiment prompted by the course itself. Many of the runners who competed for their high schools in Virginia are familiar with the McAlpine course, as it is the sight of the Footlocker South Regional.

Friday’s race should showcase the triumphant resurgence of Mark Amirault, Graduate Arts & Sciences student. Amirault placed 30th at the ACC Championships, his first meet of the season, and all signs indicate that the two-time All-American will be near the top of the pack come Friday afternoon.

“I remember looking at my spot thinking there should be at least one more orange jersey ahead of me,” Rog said. “I think Mark is going to be that guy, and that could determine the win for us.”

A competitive field awaits both Virginia squads at the Southeast Regionals.

The Cavalier women face a challenge from familiar ACC foes No. 10 Duke, North Carolina State and North Carolina. Non-conference teams such as No. 19 William & Mary and Kentucky also pose formidable threats.

“We have a real chance of getting that first or second place spot,” junior Barbara Strehler said. “We’re going to have to work hard because those other teams are our main competition, and they want the same thing.”

A mix of potent conference and non-conference teams will challenge the Cavalier men as well. No. 15 Eastern Kentucky is the highest ranked team in the Southeast Region and joins Virginia Tech as Virginia’s stiffest competition for the Regional title.

In addition to winning or finishing second, teams outside the top two can receive an at-large bid to Nationals. Given their second place finish at the ACC Championships, a competitive showing Friday almost guarantees an at-large bid for the men’s team.

The women’s future is less certain. Their less than desirable performance at the ACC Championships would hurt their chance at an at-large bid should the team not finish in the top two.

Should neither team advance from Regionals, individual Cavaliers can still earn a spot in the NCAA Championships. The top four runners not on the top two teams receive invitations to run as individuals, providing an additional outlet for Virginia runners like White, Amirault and Gates.

Still, both the men and women are approaching the meet unequivocally focused on team aspirations.

“We’re totally in the mix,” Rog said. “We replace Florida State with Eastern Kentucky, and we’ll have to watch out for them. There is no doubt in my mind that we can win this.”

The women’s race is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. with the men’s race immediately following.

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