Falcons Fly at NJCAA Half Marathon Championship

Six Daytona State women ran solid personal records at the 2025 NJCAA Half Marathon in Fort Dodge, Iowa.  In frigid temperatures and over a very challenging course, the Falcons set out on the 13.1 mile race and blew away other NJCAA Division II teams.  Finishing 11th out of 22 teams, the Falcons would claim the unofficial championship for their division.*  Led by freshman Emma Turner, who two days prior had finished second for the Falcons on a snowy cross country course for the NJCAA national meet, Turner clocked a 1:30:21, a 6:55 pace per mile.  "Emma handled this so well.  She is a very strong runner, mentally and physically." commented Coach Judy Wilson.  Coming in just 90 seconds behind Turner was sophomore Francesca Azzollini in a time of 1:31:49, just under seven minutes per mile pace.  "Fran had some ankle issues this fall and we were both thrilled that she could finish up her DSC running career with this race.  She has been so instrumental in the success of the team this season by being a great role model and proxy assistant coach at times. Running a half marathon was probably not something she thought she would ever do, after her soccer career," Wilson said.  Finishing third for the Falcons was Keria Galan, who at age 47, is a non-traditional student at Daytona State majoring in Supervision and Management working toward her Bachelors.  Her time of 1:34:02 is more than a five minute personal record. "We lucked out by having Keria out this fall.  She wanted to go back to school and we benefitted from that.  She's really blossoming as a runner in her late forties.  This was a great race.", said Wilson.  Finishing fourth, fifth, and sixth for the Falcons was Cheyenne Hulsey (1:34:36), Brianna Crawford (135:27) and Maya Horel (1:35:31).  "To have all of these women under 1:36 on such a hilly course is amazing.  All three of them ran in the cross country nationals two days earlier and I'm sure they were feeling that in the later stages.  Cheyenne and Maya have come so far this season and it was such a great way for them to go out.  Bri is a special type of person, having played soccer at Daytona State for two years, and then joining us these last two years.  She was our lead runner in the cross race two days prior, and was a little sick during this race, so she had to tough it out out there." Wilson commented.  This race ended a historic season for Daytona State women's cross country and Wilson credits that to the group for exhibiting all the traits needed to succeed in cross country - hard work, focus, discipline, integrity and coachability.  "They really lifted the car off the baby many times this fall." Wilson said with a laugh. 

*In the Half Marathon, the NJCAA scores all divisions together.