by Benny Benton
CHARLOTTE, N.C.– Top-50 finishes by juniors Angelica Del Real and Teal McLean helped the Barton College women's cross country team to a 16th-place finish among 31 teams in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional Saturday, the program's best showing in the event in head coach Karen Godlock's four years at the helm.
Del Real completed the 6K course at McAlpine Creek Park in a time of 23:47.7 to place 45th in a large field of 211, followed closely behind by McLean, who finished 48th with an effort of 23:58.5. Del Real, a transfer to Barton from El Paso Community College, was 28th at the 3K split, but lost ground in the second half running her longest race as a member of the Lady Bulldogs.
Barton also received a top-100 result from junior Ericka Skinner, who came in 96th with a time of 25:07.7. Rounding out the scoring runners were junior Cimone Barbour, who placed 133rd with a time of 26:13.4, and Lauren Andreola, who finished 138th in a time of 26:24.7. Andreola was the top runner for the Lady Bulldogs in this event last year, placing 85th with a time of 25:33 as the team finished 21st.
Junior Andrea Roca, while not among the top five, set a new personal record (PR) for the 6K distance in Saturday's run, timing out at 26:35.3. That effort improved upon her time of 27:04 from a year ago. Sophomore Lauren Yoho also participated for the Lady Bulldogs, recording an effort of 27:30.1.
Conference Carolinas champion King University posted the league's top team finish, coming in sixth in the 31-team field. Wingate University won the regional, followed by Flagler College and defending champion Columbus State University.
However, Conference Carolinas did claim the individual title, as King's HannahWitt blazed her way to the crown in a time of 21:46. She crossed the line 25 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor. Ashly Sutherland of Converse College placed third with a time of 22:15.5. Both Witt and Sutherland will advance individually to the NCAA Division II National Championship.
Barton completed its season having won multiple events for the first time under Godlock. The Lady Bulldogs will take high expectations for next year into the off-season, as this year's squad had just one senior.
NCAA Division II Southeast Regional (Women's 6K)
460 – Barton (16th/31)
23:47.7 – Angelica Del Real (45 th/211)
23:58.5 – Teal McLean (48th)
25:07.7 – Ericka Skinner (96th)
26:13.4 – Cimone Barbour (133rd)
26:24.7 – Lauren Andreola (138th)
26:35.3 – Andrea Roca (143rd)
27:30.1 – Lauren Yoho (163rd)
