From left: Dalton State Cross Country Co-Coach Margie Bruner, Carpet Capital Running Club President Erica Zimmerman, Dalton State Athletic Director Derek Waugh and Roadrunner Co-Coach Andy Meyer
The Carpet Capital Running Club has donated $1,000 to the Dalton State Athletic Club to go towards the Cross Country program.
In making the donation, running club officials said they look forward to making this an annual donation.
The Carpet Capital Running Club encourages excellence through the development of runners of all ages and ability levels, and promotes fitness and health throughout Dalton and all over Northwest Georgia. The group hosts and helps organizes dozens of running events in the Dalton community each year such as the “Run for Peter,” “Run for God,” and the Dalton Half-Marathon, among others.
Rick Little, treasurer, presented the check during the Running Club’s annual banquet at Dalton Golf and Country Club. He noted the impact that Dalton State Cross Country has made during its brief existence. “Dalton State Cross Country is an incredibly valuable asset to the running community and the community as a whole,” said Little. “Margie Bruner and Andy Meyer are both long time members of the Running Club and it is our pleasure to support them and Dalton State.”
“Coach Meyer and I are thrilled and so grateful that the Carpet Capital Running Club has honored our program with this gift. We are so fortunate to have the support of this club and we look forward to a continued partnership with them,” said Cross Country co-coach Margie Bruner.
The Dalton State women’s cross country team was crowned champions of the Southern States Athletic Conference in the team’ s first year of eligibility this past fall. The squad competed at the NAIA National Championships in Kansas. The team consisted of Olivia Bird, Jessica Brock, Ediht Corona, Mallory Edwards, Natalie Espinoza-Hensley, Kuersten Gallivan, Nayeli Jacobo and Gloria Pascual.
The Dalton State men were conference runners-up and placed three runners in the National Championships: Spencer Head, Paul Patterson and Brody Cook.