NEW ORLEANS (Nov. 7, 2016) – For the second straight year, Oklahoma Christian cross country standout Layne Hammer has earned All-South Central Region honors from the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

The USTFCCCA released its list of all-region honorees from around the nation on Monday, two days after eight NCAA Division II regional meets were held across the nation.

To earn the honor, a runner had to post a top-25 individual finish at one of those meets. Hammer, a senior from Greeley, Colo., placed 14th in the South Central Region meet, held at Washington Park in Denver. She covered the 6,000-meter course in 22:47.

Hammer also qualified as an individual for the Division II Championship race, set for Nov. 19 at the Abbey Course in Saint Leo, Fla. She became only the second female OC athlete to qualify for a NCAA national postseason event.

"Layne ran really well at regionals and to place in the top 25 is quite an accomplishment," OC coach Wade Miller said. "We are excited about competing at nationals later this month! She has worked really hard for the opportunity."