OAKWOOD, Ga. – Flagler College punched its second ticket ever to the NCAA Division II National Championship with a second place finish at this morning's NCAA Division II Southeast Regional at the University of North Georgia's Gainesville campus.

The finish equals the best in the program's history, which was last done in 2013 when the team advanced to the national championships in Spokane, Washington.

"The ladies really stepped up big today," said head coach Brian Beil. "We had the kind of day I have been talking about for the past two months, and we had it on the most important day of the season. We have the potential to be even better. Now we have another chance to do it."

Joining the Saints in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Dec. 1) from the southeast region are Queens University of Charlotte, who topped the 23-team field with 50 points, and Anderson University, which finished third with 129  points.

Three Saints earned all-region honors by finishing in the top 25. Lauren Penkala had the best regional finish for a Flagler women's runner as she finished in fourth place with a 6K time of 22:28.25. This was her second all-region accolade. Heloise Duffie de Tassigny, the Peach Belt Conference Runner of the Year, finished in sixth place with a time of 22:39.46. This was her third all-region honor. Kayla McManama finished in 23^rd place with a time of 23:40.32.

Leah Hanle of the University of Mount Olive finished atop the 154-woman field with a time of 21:39.36. She finished 11.16 seconds ahead of Domtila Kiplagat of Lenoir-Rhyne University. Both runners qualify for the national championship as individuals.

Stephany Sislava finished in 29^th place with a time of 23:58.39. Jessie Mescal posted a time of 24:06.28, which was good for a 36^th place finish. Allison Horwitch crossed the finish line at 24:48.63 and finished in 56^th place. Malia Cryan closed out the runners for Flagler with a time of 25:03.30. 
 
Team results: 1) Queens University of Charlotte 50; 2) Flagler 98; 3) Anderson 129; 4) Mount Olive 133; 5) North Georgia 153; 6) Columbus State 210; 7) Georgia College 222; 8) Catawba 256; 9) Lenoir-Rhyne 270; 10) Augusta 280; 11) Wingate 290; 12) Carson-Newman 312; 13) King 342; 14) North Greenville 365; 15) Tusculum 374; 16) UNC Pembroke 401; 17) Belmont Abbey 421; 18) Clayton State 482; 19) Mars Hill 554; 20) Limestone 556; 21) Francis Marion 618; 22) Newberry 645; 23) Lander 700.
                                           
Top 10 finishers: 1) Leah Hanle (UMO) 21:39.36; 2) Domtila Kiplagat (LRU) 21:50.52; 3) Celine Ritter (UMO) 22:10.62; 4) Lauren Penkala (FLG) 22:28.25; 5) Nicole McMillen (TC) 22:29.19; 6) Heloise Duffie de Tassigny (FLG) 22:39.46; 7) Carissa Jenkins (QUC) 22:41.62; 8) Lucie Noall (QUC) 22:48.91; 9) Abby Bozarth (AND) 22:51.14; 10) Natane Deruytter (QUC) 22:51.66.
 
Flagler members: 4) Penkala 22:28.25; 6) Duffie de Tassigny 22:39.46; 23) McManama 23:40.32; 29) Sislava 23:58.39; 36) Mescal 24:06.28; 56) Horwitch 24:48.63; 65) Cryan 25:03.30.


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