It was announced earlier today that sophomore Maria Ramirez (Orange, CA) and junior Joseph Esparza (Arcata, CA) will represent the University of Redlands cross country program at the NCAA Division III Championships in Elsah, Illinois, as automatic individual qualifiers. 

Beyond the 32 selected teams, 56 individuals are included in the national meet based on performances at the respective regional championships.  The first seven student-athletes from each region who are not associated with a qualifying team will make the trip to Elsah for the national meet on Saturday, November 18.  Principia College (IL) will serve as host to the NCAA Division III Championships at the North Farm Facility, with the men competing at 9 a.m. and the women following at 10:15 a.m.  

Ramirez finished fourth at the recent NCAA West Regional Championships with a career-best time of 21:50.07 in the 6k, while Esparza came in 20th by crossing the finish line of the 8k race in 26:12.34.

Ramirez joins three individuals from Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) foes, Pomona-Pitzer Colleges and Whittier College.  In addition, Willamette University (OR) and Linfield College (OR) are represented among the women's qualifiers from the west.

Esparza is one of three SCIAC runners to advance as individuals, as he joins runners from Whittier College and Cal Lutheran University.  In addition, Pacific Lutheran University (WA), Whitman College (WA), and Willamette have individual runners competing at the national meet.

For a complete list of the qualifiers, please visit the NCAA website.