ODAC Qualifiers Compete at NCAA Cross Country Championships

Bridgewater senior Calista Ariel led the ODAC's contingent of nine runners at the NCAA Championships by finishing 129th overall in the women's race.
Bridgewater senior Calista Ariel led the ODAC's contingent of nine runners at the NCAA Championships by finishing 129th overall in the women's race.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. --- The ODAC's contingent of 11 runners put together a solid day of competition at the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships on Saturday morning.

More than 550 men's and women's competitors took to the terrain at E.P. Tom Sawyer Park in Louisville, Ky. The men's eight-kilometer race kicked off the competition with the women's six-kilometer event following. The top-40 finishers in each race earn All-American recognition.

RELATED: 2019 NCAA Championship Results | All-Time ODAC NCAA Qualifiers

Bridgewater's Calista Ariel was the top ODAC runner by finish as she placed 129th overall in 23:02.7. Teammate English Jackson chimed in 152nd in 23:13.5. University of Lynchburg's Stephanie Burnett turned in a 173rd place showing in 23:22.9.

Washington and Lee University's women's quad, ranked 18th in the country entering the weekend, placed 29th in the team table with 695 points. Katie Harris led the Generals' scoring five in 155th position in 23:13.8. Julia Moody finished 163rd in 23:17.5, Katie Bearup stopped the watches 176th in 23:24.0, Sara Stephenson posted a time of 23:43.8 in 213th position, and Avery Schiffman capped W&L's scoring crew in 236th place at 24:01.1. Didi Pace also finished the race in 24:21.3 to ran 251st.

In the men's competition, the ODAC's two qualifiers ran close to the tap. Lynchburg's Max Sparks turned in a 138th place performance in 25:43.5, while Virginia Wesleyan University's Skyler Lattuca posted the Marlins' second-best finish in program history in 140th place in 25:44.5.

For more information on ODAC cross country, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the home of the ODAC at www.odaconline.com. Don't forget to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook and follow @odacathletics on Twitter and Instagram.