HUNTSVILLE, Ala. ^__ Alabama A&M junior Sabria Wooten took home fourth place for the second straight outing in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Cross Country Championships Monday morning at Choctaw Trails, finishing with a mark of 19:17.53 in the women's 5k run.

"Words can not even describe how I am feeling. I am thankful to God and the support from my teammates and coaches," Wooten responded after the meet. "Their energy pulled me through this race and allowed me to do one of my biggest pr's ever. I am beyond proud of myself and my teammates. Even though it was gloomy and wet we still pulled through and placed 3rd overall. We worked so hard for this and it payed off today. Now all there is to do is regroup, refocus and get ready for indoor season. Can't wait to compete."

Freshman Aneisha Ingram was the second finisher for the Lady Bulldogs as she placed 19th individually in the 5k at 20:30.80, while Diamond Ingram (20:53.44, 22nd) and Jaziah Ochoa (21:00.67, 24th) rounded out the top-25 finishers for the Bulldogs.

As a team, Alabama A&M finished 3rd, the best finish under the tenure of Coach LaShaunda Jones and also since becoming a Division I competitor. The team's previous best finish was 7th, both in 2008 and 2012. Jones spoke glowingly about the results from her squad.

"We succeeded in accomplishing our number one goal and that was to have the best result as a team that A&M Cross County have witnessed in a long time. Coach Brandee Ebert has done an awesome job with the ladies this season and I am proud to have her on the staff," Jones stated. "Coming into Championship we only saw a 7th place finish as a team prior to this year. Today we completed the championship in the 3rd place position in front of seven other teams in the conference. That's something I know that we have not done since at least 2007 when looking through the history."

"Sabria Wooten has been running well this year for us and you can tell that she has put in the extra work during her off season. I am extremely proud of her for reaching her goal with a personal best time and making the 1st team ALL SWAC in cross country," Jones went on to say. "It's a blessing to have dedicated athletes like her and it makes it even sweeter when you witness them reach their own personal goals after the hard work they put in. Freshman Jaziah Ochoa also had a personal best crossing the line today with her time as well. Overall I am proud of this team and what they have accomplished this season. Now we have to continue to learn how to be competitive and have the desire to be on the top as we move throughout the next two seasons as well as next year."

Women's Team Results (Top Five)
1. Alabama State
2. Jackson State
3. Alabama A&M
4. Southern
5. Prairie View
 
Women's Results - 5k
4.  Sabria Wooten - 19:17.53
19. Aneisha Ingram - 20:30.80
22. Diamond Griffin - 20:53.44
24. Jaziah Ochoa - 21:00.67  
38. Autumn Locklin - 22:17.25  
46. Sophia Madison - 23:01.15