THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls University cross country teams will travel to College Station, Texas for the second time this season to compete in the 2022 NCAA Division I Cross Country South Central Regional Championships, hosted by Texas A&M University on Friday, Nov.11. The action at Watts Cross Country Course will begin with the women's 6k at 9:15 a.m., followed by the men's 10k which will start at 10:15 a.m.
WHAT: 2022 NCAA Division I Cross Country South Central Regional Championships
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 11 | women's 6k 9:15 a.m. | men's 10k 10:15 a.m.
WHERE: Watts Cross Country Course | College Station, Texas
The meet will showcase 28 women's teams and 27 men's squads. In the women's race, Arkansas (23) is the only South-Central Region team in the USTFCCCA top 30. On the men's side, Arkansas (22) and Texas (30) are the only units in the USTFCCCA top 30.
Nicholls head cross country coach
Stefanie Slekis spoke about how advantageous course familiarity can be for the women's team.
"We had a great day in College Station for the Arturo Barrios Invitational, so our women feel confident after setting so many personal bests and season's bests at the conference championship that we are ready for a great day at the NCAA South Central Region Championship," Slekis said. "They navigated the large field at Arturo Barrios and worked well together so we will be using the same team strategy at the Region Championship."
Slekis gave her thoughts on how the men's team has been preparing for the step up in competition.
"Our men's team has been preparing all season for the increase in race distance for the NCAA South Central Region Championship as we will move from 8k to 10k," Slekis said. "This will be many of our men's first 10k and their first NCAA South Central Region Championship."
Slekis wants to see the youthful men's unit build on what they learned during the season and continue to grow and improve.
"We have a young team, but I am excited to see them race their first 10k and their first NCAA South Central Region Championship and gain experience that will greatly benefit our program for future years," Slekis said. "All of these men saw huge improvements from the Arturo Barrios Invitational to their 8k times at the Southland Conference Championships so I'm looking to see that same momentum heading into the region championship."
Slekis talked about building on last year's performance and the new goals and expectations she has for the women's squad.
"After taking 16th last year a top 15 team finish is the big goal and with the workouts, we have had the past month I am confident they can all go race new personal bests and compete well and it will be exciting to see if that will be enough to be a top 15 team something the seniors have been working toward for four years."
The top two teams and the first four finishers in the race not associated with those two teams will advance to the NCAA Championships, held Nov. 19 in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
