YPSILANTI, Mich. --Jill Scully left Ypsilanti, Mich. with bittersweet emotions Saturday after finishing tenth at the NCAA Great Lakes Championships.
Scully advanced to the national championships on Nov. 22 in Terre Haute, but the team finished ninth and failed to advance to nationals.
"I thought we ran well, our forth and fifth were just a little bit too far back," coach Sue Parks. "There wasn't much of a point difference between where we were to the top five. We were just a little too spread out and not good enough to advance."
Scully's tenth place finish was the top among schools who failed to advance, securing her a spot in the nationals. Scully had been aiming for a finish between tenth and 15th, and was pleased with her effort.
"It doesn't make any sense," Scully said. "We all feel like we are so much better this year than we have been in the past couple years. We made nationals two years ago. Our team is stronger now. It doesn't make any sense."
While the season continues for Scully, the rest of the team including senior Sarah Huddleston, is finished for the year.
"We were hoping Sarah would get up too," Scully said. "She is so much better this year than she has been any year in the past and she's worked so hard."
Huddleston placed 23rd in the region, and was second among those who did not advance to the NCAAs.
"I might be fifth out of individuals," she said before the final results came in. "So that would mean it was within my reach but I just missed out, so that was devastating for me.
"I'm really upset, but I guess it will just make me work harder for track season."
While Huddleston was short of advancing, she did secure a spot on the All-Region Team.
"This is one of the strongest regions, and that's quite an accomplishment for her," Parks said.
Six schools advanced from the region, the most of any region in the country.
Following Scully and Huddleston were Rose Lehe, who finished 47th; Nicole Hartford who was 61st; and Helen Kibby who was 85th.
"I'll definitely be running for all of them," Scully said.
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