USCB’s Betsy Douglas wins 2nd straight conference cross country title

USC Beaufort's Betsy Douglas was named the Sun Conference's Runner of the Year after winning her second straight women's individual title at last weekend's league cross country championships in Hardeeville.

Douglas, a senior, clocked a time of 17 minutes, 50 seconds to win the 5K race by nine seconds and claim an at-large berth at the NAIA National Championships in two weeks. The Ethiopia native also was named the league's Champions of Character nominee from cross country.

Douglas was orphaned as an infant in her homeland before being adopted by a U.S. military family. She keeps a 3.45 GPA in USCB's nursing program while training and competing.

USCB's Nic O'Neill also punched his ticket to the NAIA nationals by placing eighth in the men's race, posting a time of 26:48 at the 8K distance.

The Sand Sharks finished fourth in the women's team competition, while the men were seventh. SCAD Savannah won both team titles, with a 1-2-3 finish in the men's race and three of the top four in the women's competition.

Jaime Thomas could give the Sand Sharks another runner at nationals, depending on whether Southeastern gets in as an at-large team. That would free up three more spots for individuals.

This story was originally published November 7, 2016 at 9:33 AM with the headline "USCB’s Betsy Douglas wins 2nd straight conference cross country title."