PROVO, Utah -- The Southern Utah No. 22 women's and men's cross country teams competed at the NCAA Mountain Regional Championships this weekend where the women took 4th in the race and the men took 5th. Both teams will now wait for the announcement of at-large teams to qualify for the NCAA National Championship, which both programs are in solid position to potentially receive.

Angie Nickerson led the women with a fifth place finish. Nickerson finished with a personal best time of 19:57.6. This time has qualified her for the National Championships in Madison, Wisconsin on November 17 regardless of whether or not the team qualifies, as well as earned her All-Region status.

Nickerson was followed by Alison Pray in 29th with a time of 20:54.0 and Madison Fruchey in  34th with a time of 20:59.7.

The women finished the race fourth in the competition with a total score of 155 ahead of Air Force and No. 28 Northern Arizona.

The men's team was led by junior Aidan Reed clocking in a time of 29:23.3. Reed also qualified for national competition in Wisconsin with a fourth place finish. This finish also qualified Reed for All-Region status.

Christian Ricketts in 20th followed Reed in the race also claiming All-Region status.

The men took fifth place ahead of No. 13 Air Force and No. 18 Wyoming with a score of 146.

"Having athletes like Angie and Aidan is one of the biggest privileges you can have as a coach," commend head coach Eric Houle. "It's amazing to think that we have some of the best athletes in the nation at our school and I am very proud of what they have accomplished today."

"It was a tough race," added Houle. "But with all of the progress these teams have made this season, it was a race that shows to set us apart as a program."

Stay current on SUU cross country by following @SUUTFXC on Twitter and Instagram and like the Southern Utah Track and XC page on Facebook.

Head to www.suutbirds.com for all Thunderbird athletics news.

Women's Finishers

Angie Nickerson (5th Place; 19:57.6)

Alison Pray (29th Place; 20:54.0)

Madison Fruchey (34th Place; 20:59.0)

Sharlie Dimick (41st Place; 21:09.6)

Julieta Navarrete-Lamas (46th Place; 21:14.0)

Morgan Porcaro (75th Place; 21:38.4)

Maddy Kauffman (80th Place; 21:46.8)

Men's Finishers

Aidan Reed (4th Place; 29:23.3)

Christian Ricketts (20th Place; 29:46.4)

Nate Osterstock (35th Place; 30:14.0)

George Espino (43rd Place; 30:29.2)

Sean Newcomb (44th Place; 30:29.3)

Liam Kennell (58th Place; 30:56.4)

Koy Moore (64th Place; 31:02.6)