The Dalton State women's cross country team and coaches show off the 2014 Southern States Atletic Conference championship plaque presented at a luncheon on Saturday
When one begins a sports program, it is hard to dream of winning a conference championship in the first season of eligibility, but that is exactly what the Dalton State women’s cross country team did in the Southern States Athletic Conference championships Saturday at Choctaw Trails.
The Dalton State men also had an excellent run at the championship, but finished second behind winner William Carey University from Hattiesburg, MS. Brenau University from Gainesville, GA finished second to the Lady Roadrunners.
Dalton State athletics Derek Waugh was proud of both teams.
“I was really blown away by our women today,” he said. “Watching our women gut out a win at the finish inspiring.”
The Lady Roadrunners had been picked as fourth in the SSAC preseason poll. The conference champions had 46 points with a combined time of 1:39.27.75 and an average time of 19:53.55. Second place Brenau had 59 points with a combined time of 1:39.41.94.
Blue Mountain (MS) was third with 92 points. Loyola of New Orleans was fourth with 110 points. Fifth belonged to the University of Mobile (135 points).
The remainder of the SSAC women’s field had Auburn Montgomery (142 points), William Carey (159 points), Belhaven (183 points), Bethel (293 points), and Brewton-Parker (293 points).
Denetchee Allison of William Carey was the individual winner with a 5K time of 18:54. Dalton’s five scoring runners all received all conference recognition. Natalie Hensley finished fifth in the 79-runner field with a time of 19:39. Gloria Paschal (DS) was a close sixth.
Other Dalton runners included Kuersten Gallivan (8th), Nayeli Jacobo (12th), Mallory Edwards (15th), Olivia Bird (24th), Ediht Corona (25th) and Jessica Brock (26th).
Dalton State co-cross country coaches Margie Bruner and Andy Meyer were voted co-women’s coaches of the year for the SSAC.
“We had a race strategy and the girls executed it perfectly,” said Bruner. “They ran as a team and each girl did their part. They ran a great smart race. Natalie, Gloria and Nayeli went after the leaders. Kuersten and Mallory were key for us today.
Ediht, Olivia, and Jessica made sure the win was complete.”
“We beat the reigning conference champs from behind. We have been chasing Brenau all season. The girls ran with their hearts today and we could not be more proud.”
“The women ran absolutely fantastic,” added Meyer. They finally realized their potential that Coach Bruner has preached to them all year about.”
Natalie Hensley and Spencer head were voted the newcomers of the year.
The Dalton State men finished just three points behind conference champions William Carey (MS). “The injury bug finally caught us at the wrong time,” Meyer said. “William Carey is a great team and we had to be at 100% to win.”
Even with the injury, the Roadrunners (37 points) were a close second. They had an average 8K time of 26.10.78. WC had 34 points and an average time of 26:07.14.
The remaining seven teams and their points were: Belhaven, 95; Bethel, 109; Loyola-New Orleans, 122; Blue Mountain, 167; Mobile, 171; Auburn Montgomery, 197 and Brewton-Parker, 247.
Paul Schupp limped to the finish line and finished 35th overall (ninth among DS Runners). Head came from behind and raced past Belhaven’s Alex Ntagwa near the finish line to capture second place with an 8K time of 25:16.14.
William Carey’s Geoffrey Kipchumba was the individual champion and conference runner of the year with a time of 25:02.22. Ntwagwa finished in 25:16.35.
Seven Dalton State men finished in the top 20 and all five of the scoring runners were in the top 13. WC had five runners in the top 20.
“The men’s team had a good day,” said Bruner. “They just came up a little short. Coach Meyer and I are so proud of how hard they have worked this season. We are excited to take Spencer. Paul, and Brady to the nationals.”
Also scoring for the Roadrunners were Paul Patterson, fourth with a time of 25:39.22, Brody Cook in seventh at 26:16.36, Dylan Smith in 11th at 26:43.66, and Issac Pacheco at 13th at 26:58.51.
Jacob Robinson was just out of the scoring in 14th with a time of 27:04.87. Parker Cook (19th) at a time of 27:23.70, Saddoth Fraire (22nd) was tracked at 27:32.80. Rafael Pacheco was 43rd at 29:31.88. Lane Bramblett finished 48th with a time of 29:46.69.
The Dalton State women’s team earned the right to travel to the NAIA nationals in Lawrence (KS) on November 22nd. Coach Meyer is hoping the NAIA #25 men’s team will be selected for an at large position.
“We were running with an injured third man (Schupp) and lost such a close race to William Carey, Meyer noted. “Our times were better than several conference winners.”
Dalton State Men accept second place plaque.