Belmont's Weaver Qualifies for Nationals; Magut Awaits Fate
Lauren Weaver earned a trip to the NCAA National Meet with a 4th-place finish at the South Regional meet. Courtesy ASunPhotos.com
Date Posted: 11/10/2007
GAINESVILLE, FLA -- Belmont wrapped up another successful season by placing fourth and tenth respectively in the men and women runs at the NCAA South Regional Championships. Although, team goals of reaching the NCAA probably will not come to fruition, it was still a wildly successful day, as Lauren Weaver advanced to Nationals and Colin Magut has a good chance of continuing his season too.
Fifth-year senior Lauren Weaver has accomplished one of her life-long goals of advancing to Nationals via a fifth overall finish in the NCAA South Regional today. Junior Colin Magut finished 13th for the men, which probably is good enough for him to advance to Nationals as well.
As a team, the men finished fourth just behind Alabama, Florida State, and host Florida. Four Bruins finished in the top-30 for the first time in school history. Fellow senior Jacob Buckman earned All-Region recognition by placing 19th. Belmont is now considered a bubble team for a possible NCAA berth. However, the Bruins will most likely not advance. Still, Coach Jeff Langdon was extremely proud of his team. “I am super-pleased as we ran to our fullest potential. It is bittersweet though to not reach our goal of reaching nationals, but we are still excited about our finish.
The women finished tenth as a team. The Bruins would have placed around seventh or eighth if not for their fifth runner not completing the race. Coach Seth Sheridan could not hide his excitement though for Weaver. “It’s one of those scenarios when a fifth-year senior really dedicated herself and succeeded. It is really cool how it all came together for her.”