FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – UTA senior Justin Domangue had a record-setting day on Friday, posting the highest individual regional finish in school history en route to becoming the first Maverick runner ever to qualify for the NCAA Cross Country Championships multiple times.
 
Domangue placed fourth at the NCAA South Central Regional with a 10k time of 30:02.6, just 13 seconds off the winning pace. Last year, he had equaled the best program finish (eighth), originally set by Craig Lautenslager in 2016. Domangue's run in Fayetteville also earned him All-South Central Region honors for a UTA-record third time.
 
When Domangue competes at the NCAA Championships in Terre Haute, Ind., on Nov. 23, it will be the seventh-ever NCAA appearance by a UTA male and the fourth since 2016.
 
"I've never been more confident in an athlete prior to a race," UTA coach John Sauerhage said. "Justin ran very well and his finish was right where we expected. I'm very proud of him. He runs his best when the stakes are highest. It was the greatest performance in UTA cross country history."
 
As a team, the men placed ninth among 22 teams in the South Central with a total of 280 points. Junior Cole Klashinsky also had a strong run, as he placed 40th among the 160 participants with a time of 31:28.8.
 
UTA's other point scorers were sophomore Connor Butterfield, who was 68th with a clocking of 32:11.5, as well as freshmen Jack Myers (85th, 32:39.2) and Marquentin Barnes (105th, 33:01.2).
 
The women's team, which entered the meet ranked 14th in the most recent USTFCCCA Coaches Poll, also had a strong effort at Agri Park. The women finished with 335 points, which gave the team a 10th-place showing. It was the Mavericks' highest regional finish since placing ninth in 2015.
 
Bailey Villalon was the first UTA runner to cross the line, placing 33rd among 151 runners with a 6k time of 22:11.8. Villalon was the sixth-highest freshman finisher at the meet.
 
Fellow freshman Sofia Santamaria finished next, as she took 61st in a time of 22:47.0. Junior Ieshia Dickerson closely followed Santamaria down the chute to earn a clocking of 22:50.0 (62nd). UTA's other point scorers were senior Shayla Huebner (90th, 23:21.3) and junior Madeleine Rowe (100th, 23:33.4).
 
The first- and second-place teams and the top four individuals not on a qualifying team automatically advanced to the NCAA Cross Country Championships, which will take place in eight days. Domangue was the top finisher on a non-qualifying team.
 
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