Nov. 17, 2007

The North Carolina women's cross country team has focused their eyes on a national title this past week as they head to Terre Haute, Ind. for the cross country National Championships. The Tar Heels finished third at the NCAA Southeast Regional Championships on Nov. 10 in Louisville, Ky. Junior Brie Felnagle took first place in the race to lead three Tar Heels who garnered all-region honors.

Felnagle broke the 20-minute mark in winning the Southeast Regional in 19:53, seven seconds ahead of runner-up Emily Harrison of Virginia en route to the Southeast Regional Women's Athlete of the Year award. Felnagle placed third at the Atlantic Coast Conference meet. A junior from Tacoma, Wash., Felnagle won the 1,500 meters at the 2007 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Joining Felnagle on the all-region team were Megan Kaltenbach who finished eighth and Addie Bracy who crossed the line in time for 19th. Closing out the scoring at the Southeast Regional were Courtlin LaReau and Morgan Stengel.

A year ago the Tar Heels finished 31st overall with Felnagle finishing 22nd individually. The downfall for the Heels was that Felnagle was one of only two runners in the top 200 with Cassie King finishing 199th.

Fans can watch the race live on CSTV with the men running at 12 noon and the women's race slated to begin at 12:55 p.m.