On November 6, 2011, with freshman Tara Dooley and junior Amy Varsell leading the way, the Bentley women's cross country team earned a first-ever trip to the NCAA Division II Championships by virtue of finishing second among 27 teams at the NCAA Division II East Regional at Franklin Park.

Bentley, ranked 25th in Division II, trailed only Stonehill in the team standings. The Skyhawks captured the regional title with a score of 57 points, and Bentley followed with 99, besting Philadelphia by 13 points for the second qualifying position for the nationals. UMass-Lowell (207) and Saint Anselm (212) rounded out the top five.

"Our one goal for the year for the women has been to qualify for NCAAs for the 1st time, said first-year head coach Kevin Curtin. "We had some injuries early in the season with Tara and Amy but we knew the potential was there. We've been getting healthier all season and we were able to put it all together at NE-10s. Seniors Evey Marrero and Brittany Roderman did a nice job of keeping people relaxed in their pre-race talks. We got out well and pretty much stayed there throughout.

"Dooley, who never ran in a cross country race before a month ago, continued her outstanding first season by finishing second overall. The Northeast-10 Rookie of the Year, who had been 28th in the New Englands and the runner-up in the conference championships, ran the 6,000 meters in 21:58.7, trailing repeat regional champion Jeptui Cherutich of American International by only 4.3 seconds.

Varsell, an All-America in both indoor and outdoor track, placed fourth overall, completing the course in 22:39.9.

Also earning All-Region recognition for the Falcons were sophomore Ashley Nichols and junior Caitlin Fahey, who were 18th and 20th, respectively. Nichols, who'll be returning to her home state of Washington for the NCAA Championships on Nov. 21, finished in 23:27.7 and Fahey was exactly two seconds behind her.

Rounding out Bentley's top five was senior captain Evelyn Marrero, who was 57th in 24:38.5.           

"Tara was in second the whole way," said Curtin. "Amy separated from the chase pack halfway through and was in a comfortable fourth. Ashley & Caitlin ended up where they always end up which is in the middle of the Stonehill pack. We're all looking forward to NCAAs and I'm sure Ashley is compiling her guide to Washington State even as we speak."