JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Sophomore Rachel Strayer (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) of the Carson-Newman cross country team has been selected to participate in the 2019 NCAA Cross Country National Championships on Nov. 23 in Sacramento, California.
"To make nationals as a sophomore is a huge achievement," Carson-Newman coach Luke Greer said. "The steps she has made this year are truly a testament to her hard work and desire to want to get better. I'm proud of how she's performed this season and I know she'll put in another great performance at nationals."
Strayer, a member of the 2019 South Atlantic Conference first-team and last year's Freshman of the Year, was the top Eagles finisher for every event she ran this season.
"This will be her first nationals and it will be an eye-opening experience," Greer said. "She is now competing against the best in the nation. It will be a great learning curve and one she will take in stride and help her to improve."
Strayer started the year off with a bang, crossing the finish line first overall at the Lenoir-Rhyne Invitational back on Sept. 6.
Shen then placed third at the Louisville Invitational out of over 530 competitors with a time of 18:12.5 in the 5k on Oct. 5.
Her lowest finish of the year was still a very strong performance as she placed 33rd amongst over 540 runners at the Queens Royals Challenge on Oct. 11, the last regular season event of the year.
The moment was not too big for Strayer when she ran the 6k at the NCAA Southeast Regionals, capturing a fifth-place finish with a time of 22:55.0.
"She needs to do the same thing as she has every other race," Greer said. "She is a great racer and I have every faith that she will put the same things into practice. I'm just really excited to see her in this environment and watch her thrive."
The event will consist of thirty-four teams. Each of the eight regions had three, seven-runner teams automatically qualify while another ten teams were selected at-large. Another 24 athletes were chosen to participate and Strayer was one of them.
The competition will take place on Nov. 23 in Sacramento, California at Arcade Creek Cross Country Course. The women's race, which is a 6k, starts at 1 p.m. Eastern time and can be seen live for a fee via FloTrack Pro.
