SAINT LEO, Fla. --- The Mississippi College women's cross country team advances to the NCAA National Championships as the Choctaws finished third at the South Regional on Saturday, Nov. 6 at the Abbey Golf Course. It's the first automatic bid for the program in school history.
 
MC finished behind Gulf South Conference Champion, Lee (Tenn.) University, and Sunshine State Conference title holder and regional host, Saint Leo University, in the 6K race.
 
Jazmin Hernandez was the top finisher for the Navy and Gold as she claimed sixth place among the field of 131. The Georgetown, Texas, native posted a time of 22:27.17, including an average mile of 6:01.2. Hernandez was one of three Choctaws to finish in the top 20.
 
Josie Whipp finished 14th in the race. Whipp posted a time of 22:52.02 with an average mile time of 6:07.8. Madeline Campbell rounded out the top 20 finishers. Campbell posted a time of 23:08.06 with an average mile time of 6:12.1 as she claimed 18th.
 
Emily Berry finished 26th overall and was the fourth-best finisher for the Navy and Gold. Berry clocked in with a time of 23:22.40, including an average mile of 6:16.0.

Hernandez, Whipp, Campbell and Berry each earned all-region accolades.

Kathy Hammond finished 36th with a time of 23:53.13 while Bre Bell was 53rd with a time of 24:27.23. Norma Gutierrez wrapped up the top seven finishers for MC as she finished 81st with a time of 25:32.19.
 
LU posted the top two finishers in the regional as Celine Ritter took the top spot with a time of 21:25.13. Lady Flame teammate Toni Moore finished second with a time of 21:52.14. SLU's Faye Dervan took bronze with a time of 22:00.19.
 
NCAA Nationals are slated for Saturday, Nov. 20 in Saint Leo, Fla., at the Abbey Golf Course.