ROCKLIN, Calif. – Shasta College sophomore Grace Southern finished in second place at the 2021 CCCAA Cross-Country Northern California Regional Championships Friday.

Southern ran the 3-mile course in 19 minutes, 28.5 seconds, finishing 6.4 seconds behind the winner – Sofia Camacho of Hartnell College. Southern had the lead but was passed with 200 meters to go, Shasta College cross-country coach Anthony Williams said.

Camacho beat Southern by 9 seconds in the season-opening meet at the NorCal Preview but Southern has closed the gap. Southern had an average mile time of 6:29.5 at the NorCal Championships, which was 23 seconds better than her time at the NorCal Preview.

"Grace has exceeded all expectations that we have had for her this year," Williams said. "She's a talented runner who works hard and really cares about her team. We can't wait for her to prove to the rest of the state that regionals wasn't a fluke and that she is one of the top runners in the state."

Southern punched her ticket to the CCCAA State Championships next week in Fresno where she is projected to finish in the top six, Williams said.