FAYETTEVILLE -- So dominating was Dominique Scott's victory at Friday's NCAA South Central Regional women's cross country meet that with 300 meters to go, the Arkansas junior began slapping hands with family and fans who had lined the course.
"She was floating on Cloud Nine," Razorbacks Coach Lance Harter said. "Literally, it didn't look like she was touching the ground. It just looked so effortless."
Scott won the 6,000-meter race at Arkansas' Agri Park course in 19 minutes, 43.8 seconds and led the No. 4 Razorbacks to the regional title and an automatic berth in the NCAA Championships on Nov. 22 at Terre Haute, Ind.
With all five scorers in the top 11, Arkansas won with 29 points as Baylor finished second with 82.
Scott finished nearly 21 seconds ahead of Baylor senior Rachel Johnson, who took second in 20:04.04. The two broke away from the pack and were running side-by-side for much of the race before Scott pulled away.
"I was planning on outkicking her at the end of the race," Scott said. "But I felt so good, I just started opening up my stride with a mile to go."
Scott said she never had slapped hands with spectators during a race, but she couldn't resist the joyful display, especially with her father among the cheering fans.
"I was slapping hands with my dad, my boyfriend, my neighbors," she said. "I knew I had the win in the bag, so I was just going to have fun with it and ran up to them and put my hand out."
Mike Scott traveled 8,700 miles -- 37 hours on airplanes -- from his family's home in Capetown, South Africa, to see his daughter run for the third time in her three seasons at Arkansas.
"It was very special slapping hands with my daughter knowing she was going to win the race," Mike Scott said. "Dominique is a very special young lady, and I'm obviously a very proud father."
Arkansas' other four scorers were seniors Grace Heymsfield (fourth in 20:12.3) and Jessica Kamilos (sixth in 20:16.3), junior Diane Robison (seventh in 20:16.5) and senior Shannon Klenke (11th in 20:32.9).
"It was really comfortable," Heymsfield said of how Arkansas ran as a team. "A good confidence booster for nationals for sure."
While some runners collapsed after crossing the finish line, Scott immediately began talking to fans, did some interviews and then jogged up a hill to Arkansas' tent.
"I think it probably was a walk in the park for Dominique," Heymsfield said. "I think she's going to win nationals."
Scott has won five races this season, including her second consecutive SEC title.
"Our team is not only physically ready but mentally ready for nationals," Scott said. "I think a lot of teams are going to be surprised next weekend with how well the Razorbacks do."
Sports on 11/15/2014