NEW ORLEANS — Katie Camarena's qualification for nationals continues to set program firsts for the Vikings. Monday saw another one, as
Katie Camarena became the first Viking ever to earn USTFCCCA All-Region honors, which go to the top 25 finishers at every regional meet around the country.
Of course, Camarena finished well within the top 25 at last week's NCAA West Regional. The Viking grad transfer placed fifth overall, the highest finish by a Viking at the meet by 23 places. Camarena was never lower than eighth at any split of the women's 6k at the NCAA West Regional, and was still within a second of the overall leader at the 4k mark.
The all-region honor just adds to Camarena's list of achievements this season, which will go down as the best individual season in program history. Camarena's season has featured:
- First national qualifier in Division I program history
- First USTFCCCA All-Region honoree
- Best individual finish at the Big Sky Championships (4th)
- Best individual finish at the NCAA West Regional (5th)
- 4k school record (at Viking Rust Buster, Sept. 3)
- 5k school record (at Big Sky Championships, Oct. 29)
- 6k school record (at Santa Clara Bronco Invitational, Oct. 16)
Camarena runs at the NCAA Cross Country Championships Saturday at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Fla. The women's 6k will start at 7:20 a.m. PT / 10:20 a.m. ET.
