INDIANAPOLIS – After putting together a strong race this past weekend at the NCAA Division II West Regional, Luz Garcia and the rest of the Western Oregon University women's cross country team waited anxiously on Monday to see if she would be selected to the NCAA Championships. The exciting news was revealed in the afternoon that Garcia did in fact qualify for the championships and will be making the trip to Florida on Nov. 20.
"We're so proud of Luz. We weren't sure she was going to get in, but she's put in the hard work to get to this point in the season," head coach Octavious Gillespie-Bennett said. "She definitely deserves to be there and we're looking forward to seeing what she can do at the championships."
Garcia ran to a time of 21:44.5 during the regionals to come in eighth. The four runners that finished ahead of Garcia (Rosie Fordham, Kendall Kramer and Naomi Bailey from Alaska Fairbanks and Azusa Pacific's Justine Stecko) all advanced to the championships as individuals as well.
It's been a strong first year on the course for Garcia. Right before regionals, she earned All-GNAC honors when she placed fifth and at the always competitive Lewis Crossover, Garcia came in 11th. She opened the season with back-to-back wins at Ash Creek Preserve taking titles at the Ash Creek Collegiate and Mike Johnson Classic.
"You know I purposely ran with my phone today during my long run because selections weren't out yet. In the middle of it, my phone absolutely blew up. I was so excited to see that I had been the last individual selected from the West Region," Garcia said. "I immediately face timed Zach Holloway yelling. I am very much thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase myself in such a competitive field. We trained hard all year for this moment, and now it's time to capitalize on the season!"
Garcia will have the rest of this week to prepare for the NCAA Championships that will take place next Saturday, Nov. 20 on the campus of Saint Leo University at the Abbey Course in Saint Leo, Fla.
