JOPLIN, Mo. – Bentley University sophomore Tara Dooley (Lee, Mass./Lee HS) finished 58th in the 2012 NCAA Division II Women's Cross Country Championships, which were held Saturday morning at Missouri Southern Sate University.

Dooley, second among East Region participants across the finish line, completed the 6,000-meter course in 21:41.9. She was in 33rd place at the midpoint after running the first 3,000 in 10:39.3, but couldn't maintain that pace of the second half of the race.

This was the second straight year that Dooley missed out on earning All-America honors by less than 20 seconds. Last year, she finished 49th overall.

The individual champion was Alicia Nelson of Adams State, with a time of 20:03.3, and the top East Region runner was American International's Jeptui Cherutich. She was 16th overall in 21:03.0. 

NCAA DIVISION II CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Joplin, Mo. 

Top Individuals: 1. Alicia Nelson, Adams State, 20:03.3; 2. Susan Tanui, Alaska-Anchorage, 20:12.6; 3. Katie Spratford, Shippensburg, 20:22.4; 4. Jessica Janecke, Grand Valley State, 20:23.2;5.Sophie McNeely, Western State, 20:25.0. 

Bentley Runners: 58. Tara Dooley, 21:41.9.