Dahlonega, GA – Southern Wesleyan takes 12th place as a team at the NCAA DII Southeast Regional. The Warriors were led by sophomore Ronan O'Neill who's 11th place finished allowed him to qualify for the NCAA Men's Cross Country National Championship.
The regional meet is a qualifying event for the championship finals. The top three teams at each of the eight regional championships will automatically advance to the championship finals while 10 at-large teams will be selected by the NCAA Division II Men's and Women's Cross Country Committee for a total of 34 teams.
In addition to team qualifications, the top two individuals who are not part of a qualifying team will automatically advance to the championship finals. All individuals who finish in the top five at the regional meet and are not part of a qualifying team will earn a bid to the championship finals and eight individuals will be selected as at-large qualifiers.
Race Vitals
Total Time: 2:43.04
Avg. Time: 32:36
Score: 367
How It Happened
A couple weeks after O'Neill claimed the individual title at the Conference Carolinas Men's Cross Country Championship, he continued to make Southern Wesleyan history as he became the first Warrior to advance to the national finals. O'Neill took 11th place at the NCAA DII Southeast Regionals with a time of 30:01.9. In the process of advancing to the national stage, he went on to break every school record in the race. His 5K split was 14:45, while his 8K split was 24:02.
O'Neill was followed by teammate Drew Jones. Jones finished with a time of 31:41.8 to put him in 42nd place. A minute behind him, Grady Clark claimed 62nd place with a time of 32:35.4. Thomas Macagg finished in 122nd place with a time of 34:10.6.
Sophomore Landon Mayfield finished behind Macagg as he took 132nd place. Mayfield finished with a time of 34:34.8. Behind him, Grayson Gillespie finished in 151st place with a time of 35:35.6.
What's Next
Ronan O'Neill will travel to Joplin, MO on November 18 to compete in the NCAA National Championship.
