The loss of an experienced group of runners and a youthful team that is searching for leadership and consistency does not often make the groundwork for a team destined for nationals. The Concordia women's cross country team proved that theory wrong.

A sixth place finish at the regional championships and a consistent regular season allowed a young Eagles team to claim one of 15 at-large berths to the 28th Annual Women's Cross Country National Championships on Saturday, November 17 at the Dr. Wayne E. Dennehl Cross Country Course in Kenosha, Wisc.

"The ladies are going to nationals not because of luck but knowing that it is our fate to be there," said Gonzalez, whose teams have finished in the top eight in six of the past seven seasons. "We had so many reasons to end the season at regionals, but because of faith in God and our program it is our destiny to be going to Kenosha.

The competition returns to the famed Dennehl cross country course for the first time since the 2002 season, a meet that saw the Eagles take 6th place. Two seasons prior to that, the 2000 Eagles captured the first national championship in school history.

"The season so far has been very interesting because we have had our share of highs and lows," said Gonzalez, who led the 2006 Eagles to a third place finish in Louisville last season. "We are still standing and will be ready for one more round."

The women's race is set to start at 11:45 a.m. (CST) following the completion of the men's competition.