Allison Walker set for NCAAs

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas Razorback women’s cross country will be represented by freshman Alyssa Allison and junior Miranda Walker at the 2009 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships next week.

The 2009 NCAA cross country field was announced today and the Arkansas team did not receive an at-large bid. The 2009 season marks just the second time in head coach Lance Harter’s 20 years that Arkansas hasn’t competed as a team at the NCAA Cross Country Championships.

"It’s unfortunate we didn’t receive an at-large bid because, as close as we have been running together, I really think we could have been a top 20 team," head coach Lance Harter said. "We are very please Miranda and Alyssa have the chance to continue what has been an exciting season for them. Miranda has been our leader all year and she deserves this opportunity to compete at the NCAA Championships. Alyssa is a very tough freshman and she’ll continue to make her mark."

The 2009 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships will be held Mon., Nov. 23, in Terre Haute, Ind. Indiana State hosts the event at the LaVern Gibson Championships Cross Country Course. The women’s 6,000-meter race is set to begin at 11:58 a.m. The 2009 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships will be broadcast live on Versus Network and streamed online via NCAA.com.

Walker will be making her third appearance at the NCAA Cross Country Championships. She has been Arkansas’ top finisher in five of the six meets this season. She finished ninth at the 2009 SEC Championships and the 2009 NCAA South Central Regional Championships. She earned second-team All-SEC and all-region honors.

Allison will make her NCAA debut for the Razorbacks next week. She finished 15th at the 2009 SEC Championships and fifth at the 2009 NCAA South Central Regional Championships. She was named the 2009 SEC Freshman of the Year, earned SEC All-Freshman Team honors and was named all-region.

The Razorbacks finished third at the 2009 SEC Championships with 87 points and third at the 2009 NCAA South Central Regional Championships with 66 points.

For more information on the 2009 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships, visit NCAA.com or ArkansasRazorbacks.com.