BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – The Samford University cross country teams set off to Tallahassee, Florida to compete in the NCAA South Regionals on Friday, Nov. 14, at Apalachee State Park for the chance to qualify for the NCAA Championships held in Terre Haute, Indiana.

After a grueling SoCon Championships where both teams put everything on the line, they now have to endure even longer events such as a 6,000 meter race for the women and a 10,000 meter race for the men.

"We put so much emphasis on the Conference meet, sometimes it is hard to come back two weeks later and do it again." Head coach Lori Strand stated. "And for the past couple of years we have not had both the men and women racing as full teams. We have had some individuals competing and have let others pull out because of different reasons. I am looking forward to having a full team race on both sides."

Both the men and the women posted a flurry of season-best and personal-best times at the SoCon Championships. The men were led by freshman and SoCon Second-Team member Arsène Guillorell who cranked out Bulldogs best time of 24:53.43 in the 8,000 meter race.

Junior Adam Jones followed shortly behind with a 14^th place finish with a time of 25:05.54 but has been known to turn it up a notch when competing in regional meets.

"We have several guys who can be somewhat competitive at the regional meet and who deserve the chance to compete at a high level to see what they can do." Strand said.

The women are a strong and young group this year and it has shown race after race as they steadily improved throughout the season to post their best times of the year at the SoCon Championships.

"Our women are young and need the experience in racing the longer distance and need experience being at the bigger meets. They will get so much out of going and being a part of such a competitive meet." Strand concluded.

A trio of freshmen, led by Karisa Nelson will get their first taste of regional competition but have excelled in each and every meet leading up to this one. Nelson who posted the Bulldogs top time of 17:41.79 and a 12^th place finish at the SoCon Championships will be joined by fellow SoCon All-Freshman team members Emma Garner and Megan Roach.

Meet coverage will be provided by host institution Florida State University and live results can be found here on SamfordSports.com. The women will start at 8 a.m. while the men will start at 9 a.m.