Women's Cross Country Opens Season at Valdosta State

The 2021 women's cross country squad opened their season at the Florida/Georgia Border Clash Friday night, hosted by Valdosta State University.  The Falcons were led by 2020 Region 8 champion, Harleigh Crist, now in her second season of collegiate cross country.  Crist placed 27th overall and ran at 20:57 for the traditional 5 kilometer race distance (3.1 miles).  The team competed against other Region 8 teams and finished second among them behind Florida Gateway College.  "We knew going in we were not at full strength, missing key freshmen and our #3 from last year who is waiting to get cleared," fourth year Head Coach Judy Wilson said.  Running in the #2 spot for the Falcons was Nathaly Abastida placing 68th, time of 23:16.  Abastida was followed by sophomore Angel Khrino (87th, 24:20), freshman Makayla Shores (91st,24:31), and wrapping it up for the Falcons was freshman Kennedy Arterburn (100th, 26:51).  The Falcons will take this coming week to gear up for the University of Florida Mt Dew Invitational, set for September 11th.