Cross Country Shines Bright in Cartersville
CARTERSVILLE, Ga. - (Results) Cross country ran under the lights in the Wingfoot Cross Country Classic on Friday as the Eagles competed against a variety of NCAA and NAIA squads in Cartersville and put together impressive performances.
As units, the men were able to finish in sixth-place out of 15 teams, while the women's side got 11th out of 14 competing schools in the event.
"Great day for both our squads as we saw season bests from everyone on our team today," head coach Jordan Turner said. "That's a rare feat at our level so to be able to do that on a heavy training block speaks to the willingness to lay it all on the line for this group. This is a first-class event from the Atlanta Track Club, and I was pleased with the quality field we faced today and how we were able to compete.Â
Jackson ran a superb race and was the first non-NCAA Division I finisher amongst some good teams in Georgia Tech, Samford and South Alabama. He stuck his nose in it and was rewarded with a top-10 all-time at Reinhardt… Brian, Braden and Salvador all ran incredibly smart and moved up considerable spots to secure big, lifetime bests for some of them. Once we get a little better at the five-spot we will be a good team late in the season."
Jackson Helfrich blazed his way to a sixth overall finish in the 8K with an astounding time of 25:23, one second behind a South Alabama runner. Brian Vincent Jr. wasn't too far behind with a 31st-best time of 27:04, while the duo of Braden Ray (27:39) and Salvador Castillo (27:42) both earned finishes inside the top 47 runners.
"The ladies had an equally exciting day and they all impressed with how they moved through the pack," Turner said. "With just five [runners] this year, it will be important for each of them to continue the trajectory of improvement as we progress throughout the season."
Caprice Konitshek set a career-best mark with a time of 20:44 in the 5K, crossing the finishing line in 51st overall â€" leading the way on the women's side. Alexis Casey was next in line with a time of 21:25 and Carly Harrison was the third Eagle to come through with a 22:41 race.
To view the complete results, please click here.
Both squads look to continue their momentum into the Royals Cross Country Challenge on Oct. 11 in Charlotte, N.C.
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