MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Shenandoah University women's cross country team finished sixth and the men 16th Saturday afternoon at the NCAA South/Southeast Regionals hosted by Rhodes College.

Juniors Josiah Renton and Amy Smith become the first SU harriers to qualify for the NCAA Championships with 11th and eighth place finishes, respectively.

The two student-athletes, who each won their respective USA South Conference championships two weeks ago, will compete next weekend at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa as individuals.

Senior Jennie Ott joins Renton and Smith in earning All-Region honors by finishing 21st in the women's race.

Renton ran a 26:00 to finish 11th overall and grab one of the at-large berths into the NCAA championships. He was the highest finishing USA South Conference runner.

Smith matched Renton, finishing eighth overall with a 22:44 in her 6000 meter event.

This is the second time in three years that she has earned All-Region honors.

Ott had a 23:10 to finish 21st and third among USA South runners.

Lynchburg won the men's race while host Rhodes took the women's.

The official site of the 2010 championships can be found here: http://www.ncaa.com/sports/c-xc/champpage/c-xc-div3-index-2010.html

###