Lander University

Bob Stoner

Women's Cross Country 11/8/2025 9:29:00 PM Turner Kirby - Director of Athletic Communications

Fuel Makes History Again as Lander Has Highest Regional Finish in Over Three Decades

WINGATE, N.C. – Junior Carly Fuel capped her historic season with another milestone performance, placing 22nd at the NCAA Southeast Regional Cross Country Championships on Saturday morning to earn All-Region honors — the first by a Bearcat since Heather Varn in 1999.

Fuel's effort led the Lander women's cross country team to a 14th-place finish out of 24 teams, marking the program's highest regional finish since 1993 when the Bearcats placed sixth.

The West Columbia, S.C., native also shattered the program's 6K record with a time of 22:51.80, surpassing Varn's 1999 mark of 23:31.31 set at the Milliken Arboretum. Fuel now holds both of Lander's all-time cross country records after breaking the 5K program record earlier this season at the Royals XC Challenge.

Freshman Elizabeth Reid capped her standout rookie campaign with a 24:06.11, setting a program freshman record in the 6K. Sophomore Amara Hille was next across in 25:04.32, while junior Madeline Beal and freshman Sophie Bridges rounded out the scoring five in 26:10.55 and 26:23.72, respectively.

Junior Rachel Schenck (26:28.33) and sophomore Kayla Barnhardt (26:46.08) completed the lineup of seven runners — all of whom are set to return next season.

The Bearcats will look to build on their historic fall as they transition to the Indoor Track and Field season in the coming weeks.

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Players Mentioned

Madeline Beal: Junior

Carly Fuel: Junior

Rachel Schenck: Junior

Kayla Barnhardt: Sophomore

Amara Hille: Sophomore

Elizabeth Reid: Freshman

Players Mentioned

Madeline Beal
: Junior

Carly Fuel
: Junior

Rachel Schenck
: Junior

Kayla Barnhardt
: Sophomore

Amara Hille
: Sophomore

Elizabeth Reid
: Freshman