Falcons Gain Experience at Border Clash
The Falcon women's cross country team gained some valuable experience at the Border Clash hosted by Valdosta State.
The Falcon women's cross country team gained some valuable experience at the Border Clash hosted by Valdosta State. With six first year runners, the Falcons finished 7th out of 12 teams, beating two Region 8 rivals, and finishing only 2 points behind host school Valdosta State. Shannon Jones led the way for the Falcons finishing 18th with a time of 19:45 in her first cross country meet since running in high school 18 years ago. Two time Region 8 champion Harleigh Crist finished 43rd with a time of 21:07. This will be her final season as a Falcon. Giovana Meade and Lauren Schaudel finished close together with times of 21:57 and 21:58, and finishing out the Falcon top five was Kennedy Arterburn with a time of 23:49. Three newcomers completed the Falcon lineup. Alexis Mills from Astronaut High School ran 24:04, first time cross country runner Jonna Kirk ran 24:04 and Sofia Azzollini ran 27:06. Coach Judy Wilson, now in her fifth season as the Falcons head coach, says this year's squad could surprise people in the post season. "Aside from Harleigh and Kennedy, our whole team is new, but they have already built a great connection with each other and that is very important in this sport." The Falcons next race is the Embry Riddle Invitational on September 17th.