HAVERFORD, Pa. – The Haverford College women's cross country team heads to the 2012 NCAA Division III Mideast Regional Championship on Saturday at Big Spring High School in Newville, Pa. with the knowledge that it will take a total-team effort to qualify for the NCAA Division III national meet.

The Fords, ranked 13th nationally and second in the Mideast Region, will have to maintain a short time margin within their five scoring places to be successful on Saturday. Haverford accomplished that goal in impressive fashion at this year's Centennial Conference championship as the Fords' five scorers finished within 33 seconds of each other which helped Haverford claim second place.

Coach Fran Rizzo also identifies the importance of the squad's lead runners to set a pace for the team. Sophomore Katie Balmer, freshman Fiona Hendry, freshman Nora Weathers, junior Chelsea Thorsheim and senior Sara Hess are runners to keep an eye on as the Fords try to qualify for the D-III national meet for the fourth consecutive year. Balmer (pictured, on left) ran to second-team all-conference honors this season as she led Haverford across the line at the conference championship with a 12th-place finish (21 minutes, 56.7 seconds). Also garnering second-team all-conference accolades, Hendry finished 14th in her first conference championship race. Weathers, Thorsheim and Hess (pictured, on right) have been solid all season and will be counted on for their consistency once again.

Rizzo expects a competitive race as seven teams should be battling for the coveted spots in the NCAA championship field.

Hosted by Dickinson College, the 6,000 meter regional race beginning at noon will give an automatic qualifying spot for the national championship meet to the top-two finishing teams while up to three other teams can receive at-large bids.

The D-III national meet will be held this year in Terre Haute, Ind. on November 17.