Women's Cross Country Secures Seventh Place at the NCAA South Regional

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Belmont women's cross country secured its best finish at the NCAA South Regional since 2002 on Friday morning. 

At the Mark Bostick Golf Course in Gainesville, Florida, the Bruins earned seventh place with three runners in the top 50. 

Belmont finished with 250 total points and placed ahead of Florida State, Auburn, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Miami and Georgia among others.

Tennessee captured the team title with 61 points while Florida earned second with 79 points and Ole Miss secured third with 95. 

Kaitlyn Vanderkolk led the way for the Bruins in 17th place, in 19:05.3. She earned All-South Region honors for finishing among the top 25. She is hopeful to have earned a spot in the national championship race as a result of her impressive performance. The 2023 NCAA Cross Country Championship field will be announced Saturday on NCAA.com.

Grace Litzinger claimed 36th in 19:53.4.

Brooke Garter was the next Bruin to finish inside the top 50 (49th) in 20:09.4.

Katie Flaherty secured 63rd in 20:27.4.

Brooke Stromsland claimed 85th in 20:44.8.

Carson Wasemiller closed out a successful day on the course for the Bruins in 21:27.4.

Parker Valby of Florida won the individual title with a time of 17:59.6. 

Overall this season, the Bruins finished inside the top 10 in all of their meets, including wins at the Belmont Opener, John McNichols Invitational and Belmont's first Missouri Valley Cross Country Championship. 

Follow Belmont women's cross country on social media - @BelmontXCTF on Twitter, @belmontwxc on Instagram and @BUXCTF on Facebook - for complete coverage of the Bruins. Stay up to date with all of Belmont's athletic programs via the official app of the Belmont Bruins, available both in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.