November 9, 2002 - Region 2 Championship

Fresno - Azusa Pacific, the defending women's champion, squeaked out a narrow one-point victory in the 2002 NAIA Region 2 Championship at Woodward Park today.

The Cougars, led by the one-two finish of Brianna Carstensen (18:09) and Kristine Krause (18:09), defeated Concordia 47-48 to claim their second consecutive Region Two title.

Seniors Chrisie Gregory (5th, 18:50) and Jennifer Toler (6th, 18:52) led the Sunbirds women to a sixth place finish among 14 teams. Both earned a trip to the NAIA National Championship in Kenosha, Wisconsin later this month.

The Regional Two team champions, as well as the top five finishers not on the championship team, earn an automatic berths in the NAIA National Championship, November 23, in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

November 8, 2002 - Sunbirds will host NAIA Region Championship tomorrow
For the second consecutive year the Sunbirds will host the NAIA Region Two cross country championships at Woodward Park. The women's 5,000 meters championship begins at 3:00 p.m.

Defending champion Azusa Pacific, ranked 6th in the NAIA, is expected to duel it out with #9 Concordia in the women's competition. Only two points points separated the two teams (42-44) two weeks ago at the Golden State Athletic Conference championship at Woodward Park. Westmont (NAIA #19), Cal State San Marcos (NAIA #19) and Point Loma Nazarene (NAIA #22) are also expected to make strong showings. Best hopes for the host Sunbirds are seniors Chrisie Gregory and Jennifer Toler. Gregory finished 4th at the GSAC championship and Toler finished 10th. Both earned NAIA All-America recognition last season.

The Regional Two champion earns an automatic berth in the NAIA National Championship, November 23, in Kenosha, Wisconsin.