Eagles Hit Their Stride in Friday Races

GAINESVILLE, Ga. – (Results) Two groups of Eagles headed to North Hall Park in Gainesville, Ga., on Friday evening to take place in cross country action, as the men's team went one-on-one with Truett McConnell (Ga.) and the women's side took on both the Bears and Brenau (Ga.).

The Reinhardt men were able to take care of business, 37-22 (best finishers have lowest point value), and the women were second out of three squads with a total time of 1:58:13.

"First off, I would like to give a tremendous amount of praise to our administration at Reinhardt, both Interim President Dr. Roberts and Athletic Director Bill Popp, as well as Head Athletic Trainer Ashley Wolary, nurse Kristy Hough, cross country athletic trainer Hannah Gamsby and countless others at Reinhardt who got us to this point today that these student-athletes were able to go out and compete," head coach Jordan Turner said. "Each of them had the physical, social and emotional well-being of our students as the foremost guiding principal as we navigated a return to play and I'm thankful for all their hard work during these difficult last six months.     

"A great day to finally be able to compete and I'm thankful to our AAC foes for providing some great competition. I couldn't be prouder of the way both teams competed and moved up spots in the final stages of the race. This is the most challenging course any of our teams have faced in the last five to six years, so it was good to see them throw time out the window and just race. In total, thirteen of the 14 finishers within the top seven for both genders are freshmen and sophomores, so they are really just getting started."

Turner said he was especially proud of the women's team today for coming out and competing with a deck stacked against them. It was the third day back together as a team since Sept. 14, so they are all at varied stages of fitness and strength coming back together. He added that much faster times and higher placements are in store for this group and he's excited to see them race again in two weeks. 

"Jasmin ran a great race to led us in her very first college meet," Turner said. "Caprice and Carly are turning the corner on fitness and they will be big contributors for us late in the season. Jillian, Pam, Sara and Sarah all competed all the way to the line and I'm happy to see them develop this year."

The men's team was challenged to match up and beat Truett McConnell at each scoring spot, even with the course being a brutal test – very hilly terrain and twisting trails for over half the course.

"Salvador ran a very strong race to capture the win (28:58) and a new course record at this venue," Turner said. "David and Taylor both had great debuts for us, landing in the top five scoring spots for our team. David ran really well, and his 29:43 lands in the top 10 for fastest debut-times in RU history; quite a feat at a course like this.

"Braden, Parker, Taylor, Brody and Chris did what was necessary to take spots when they needed to, so this group will be ready to race and compete again in two weeks."

Both the men and women will next run in the Southern States Challenge at the Hardeeville School Complex in Hardeeville, S.C. on the morning of Oct. 24. 

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For more information on Reinhardt Men's Cross Country, please click here, and Reinhardt Women's Cross Country here.