INDIANAPOLIS – For the first time since 2007, the UIndy women's Cross Country team will have a runner qualified for the NCAA DII Cross Country Championships. Lauren Bailey will step to the line on Saturday after making the trek out to Sacramento, CA at the Arcade Creek Cross Country Course.

The junior has recorded a stellar season to date, placing inside the top four in all four of the races she's competed in this season. In the three 6,000-meter races that she lined up for, Bailey dropped time in every race down to a 20:51.9. That time was performed at this past Midwest Regional, placing her third in an incredibly deep field of 216 in order to punch her first ticket to the cross country nationals.

The last time the Greyhounds featured a women's cross country student-athlete at the NCAA DII Championships was back in 2007, when LeAnn Sarka placed 72nd in the field. UIndy has yet to see a women's cross country All-American in the 21st-century, as Maria Harriman just missed the honor back in 2001, crossing the finish line 42nd at the national meet.

In order to qualify as an NCAA DII All-American, Bailey aims to be a top-40 finisher in the upcoming championships. After the different Regionals two weeks ago, only four student-athletes bested Bailey's Midwest Regional time.
The women's 6,000-meter race will commence at 1 p.m., followed by the men's 10,000-meter at 1 p.m. The event will be broadcasted live on FloTrack.