Nov. 11, 2006

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Senior Michelle Sikes finished second out of more than 200 runners, lifting Wake Forest to a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Southeast Women's Cross Country Regional here Saturday.

The Southeast Regional was one of nine regional meets held across the country today. The field for the Nov. 20 NCAA Championship in Terre Haute, Ind. will be announced Sunday.

Wake Forest finished in the top five at the regionals for the fifth consecutive season.

Sikes finished second to her nemesis, N.C. State's Julia Lucas, in the race for individual honors. Lucas finished the race in 20:15.60, less than seven seconds ahead of Sikes. Lucas recently edged Sikes in the ACC Championships.

The ACC flexed its muscles at the 32-team Southeast Regional. Thirteen of the top 14 individual finishers came from ACC schools.

Sikes finished her race in a time of 20:22.95, her fourth consecutive race under 20:30. Deacon senior Erin Franklin finished in 13^th place with a time of 21:06.85.  Junior Caitlin Chrisman finished in 38^th place at 21:49.90.

Deacon sophomore Allison Kieffer finished in 41^st place at 21:55.80 to give four Deacons in the top 50. Junior Selina Sekulic finished 70^th with a time of 22:24.15 to close out Wake Forest's scoring.

Other Deacon runners not counting toward the team score was freshman Kelly Pollsin finished 95^th with a time of 22:50.80

Team Champion - NC State

Individual Champion - Julia Lucas (NC State), 20:15.60

Wake Forest Runners

2^nd           Michelle Sikes          20:22.95

13^th          Erin Franklin            21:06.85

38^th          Caitlin Chrisman       21:49.90

41^st          Allison Kieffer           21:55.80

70^th          Selina Sekulic          22:24.15

95^th          Kelly Pollsin             22:50.80