Nov. 12, 2005

GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- The UAB cross country team concluded the 2005 season with its most impressive showing of the year, as the Blazers placed fourth at the 2005 NCAA South Regionals here Saturday morning. The finish was the highest ever for a UAB squad in the regionals.

"I'm really proud of the team," said UAB head coach Ray Stanfield. "I'm sad for Elizabeth (Ambrus) that she didn't qualify for nationals, but maybe she'll get a break. Everyone did a great job today. It's hard to believe that we placed dead last in this event just four years ago."

UAB had two All-South region performers in the event, as junior Elizabeth Ambrus and sophomore Elizabeth Hilligoss placed in the top 30. For Hilligoss, it was her second all-region honor.

Ambrus led the Blazers with an eighth-place finish, running the 6K course in 20:53.12. Despite not qualifying for the NCAA National Meet, Ambrus may be selected as an at-large participant on Monday.

Hilligoss finished 25th overall with a career-best 21:47.55. Junior Jennifer Thompson ran her best race of the season and set a new personal best, clocking a 22:11.85 and placing 34th overall. Freshman Jakia Williams and sophomore Whitney Mays finished together, placing 47th and 48th with times of 22:30.64 and 22:32.02, respectively. Junior Ryanne Fortney was 63rd overall and recorded a new career best time of 22:48.33.

The Blazers tallied 162 points in the meet. Regional winner Tennessee had 78, while second-place Georgia scored 98. Florida State was third with 118 points. The top two teams, Tennessee and Georgia, advanced to nationals in Terre Haute, Ind., on Nov. 21. UAB finished ahead of in-state foes Samford (seventh), Alabama (12th), Auburn (16th) and Birmingham-Southern (23rd).