From NYU Athletics

The New York University women's cross country team finished in ninth place at the NCAA Atlantic Regional Championship on Saturday, November 11, in Houghton, NY. 

The top two teams in each of the eight regions earn automatic bids to the NCAA National Championship. After those 16 teams get in, an additional 16 squads receive at-large bids while 56 additional runners not associated with those teams are picked to compete in the championship based on their regional performances.

SUNY Geneseo won Saturday's regional championship with 41 points, while Ithaca College placed second with 102 points.

Leading the Violets' charge on Saturday was junior captain Sabrina Herrmann, who posted a 10th-place finish. The Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, native clocked a time of 22:21.8 over the 6K course and should qualify for next weekend's NCAA Championship as an individual. 

"Sabrina a good talent and a great athlete," said Head Coach Erison Hurtault. "She does what we ask of her. She has a passion for competing."

Fellow captain Hannah Haley followed behind in 18th place. The senior recorded a time of 22:37.8.

"Hannah has been an excellent captain over the past few years," said Hurtault. "She keeps having big races when it counts. She's proven a lot over her senior season."

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:

- Sophomore Isabella Steains finished in 62nd place by posting a time of 23:34.9. Trailing not far behind in 69th place was senior Megan Davis with a time of 23:42.8.

- Seniors Emily Dethlefs and Morel Malcolm took 111th (24:25.9) and 157th (25:08.7) places, respectively.

- NYU's final finisher was Karen Yao in 161st place. The junior registered a time of 25:20.1.

- Overall, 41 teams and 285 runners competed.

The team and individual at-large bids for the NCAA National Championship, which will be held on Saturday, November 18, in Elsah, IL, will be announced on Sunday afternoon.

"I'm optimistic, but I am proud of everyone," said Hurtault. "They left their best out there today."