Rice University
NCAA South Central Regional
Mericle Wins NCAA South Central Regional - Owls Second
11/15/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
Nov. 15, 2008
Waco, Texas - Rice Owl cross country runner Nicole Mericle captured first place at the NCAA South Central Regional to lead the 22nd-ranked Owls to a second place finish in the 17-team field at Baylor's Cottonwood Creek Golf Course. Rice totaled 61 points as Arkansas won the team title with 51 points, while host school Baylor tied the Owls with 61 points.
Mericle, a junior, completed the 6,000 meter course in 20:34 just ahead of Baylor's Erin Bedell at 20:41.4. In winning this event, Mericle became the first Rice Owl to capture an individual title at the NCAA South Central Regional.
Two other Owls also placed in the top 10. Sophomore Allison Pye finished eighth (20:59.4) and senior Lennie Waite was ninth (21:03.6). Mericle, in 2007, placed ninth at the NCAA South Central Regional in Fayetteville, Ark.
Rice won the event last year with 54 points, while Arkansas was runner-up.
The Owls now prepare for the NCAA Championship held in Terre Haute, Ind. and hosted by Indiana State on Nov. 24.
Rice Individual NCAA South Central Regional Team Results
1 Nicole Mericle 20:34.7
8 Allison Pye 20:59.4
9 Lennie Waite 21:03.6
17 Britany Williams 21:29.3
27 Wade, Becky Wade 21:57.8
63 John, Keltie John 23:04.2
69 Laura Hudson 23:20.6
2008 NCAA South Central Regional Team Results
1 Arkansas 51
2 Rice 61
2 Baylor 61
4 SMU 103
5 Texas 134
6 Texas A&M 186
7 Tex. A&M-Corpus Christi 222
8 Texas Christian 239
9 Stephen F. Austin 246
10 Houston 281
11 Texas State 310
12 Tulane 315
13 Texas-Arlington 379
13 Arkansas-Little Rock 379
15 SE Louisiana 387
16 North Texas 422
17 LSU 436
Players Mentioned
