NCAA III South/Southeast Regional Championships Web Site
Saturday the McMurry cross country teams head east, way east to Greensboro, N.C. where Guilford College will host the NCAA Division III South/Southeast Regional Championships.
McMurry's women are coming off a second-place finish at the American Southwest Conference Championships in Clinton, Miss. Oct. 31 will look to make a push and see if senior Carla Lewis, who won the ASC individual title, can squeeze into the top 12 spots to have a chance at the national meet.
The men's team finished third at the ASC Championships and senior Ken Wheeler will look to return to the national meet after a 12th-place finish at the 2008 NCAA Regional Meet making him just the second runner in school history to earn a bid to the national meet.
Last season, the regional meet was just 300 miles southeast of Abilene in Seguin. However, this year, the trip is 1,300 miles east of the friendly confines of home.
“It is fun and taxing at the same time,” said head cross country coach David Chandler of the travel. “Most of the runners enjoy travelling though, and our program is known for travelling around the United States over the years. There is a huge perspective and educational benefit that comes with that.”
Chandler said that the goals for both teams are to finish in the top 10 on each side. Last season, the men placed ninth and the women placed 17th. However, the women's team was without Lewis who took the 2008 season off.
Obviously, neither McMurry's coach nor its runners have seen the course in North Carolina, but Chander was able to gather some information from the hosts.
“The course has quite a few turns and loops in it,” he said. “It might be a little muddy due to Hurricane Ida, but it shouldn't be too bad.”
Saturday 36 women's teams will square off against one another in a 6K race beginning at 11 a.m. EST. The men's 8K race will feature 32 teams and start at Noon EST.
In addition to running, McMurry's teams will be taking in the sites of the surrounding area. The team plans to have a preparation run at Duke University in Raleigh, N.C., and the team will make visits to the Natural Science Center in Greensboro, N.C. and Myrtle Beach in South Carolina.
“This is a great opportunity to grow as whole persons in mind, body and spirit,” said Chandler. “Lifetime memories will be made this weekend.”