RESULTS
New Market, Ala. – Audrey Smith claimed individual medalist honors as the Lee University women's cross country team finished second at the Gulf South Conference (GSC) Championships Saturday morning at Sharon Johnston Park.
Smith blazed through the 5K course to win by nearly 34 seconds. The junior crossed the finish line at 18:11.86 with her nearest competitor, Cecelia David of West Alabama, stopping the clock at 18:45.33. David was the defending women's champion.
The Lady Flames tallied 62 points, but Union University was one better (61) to earn the team title. West Alabama was third with 106 points and Alabama Huntsville was fourth at 114.
"This was a tough loss for our women," said Morgan. "We knew coming in it was going to be very close. We fought very hard the last 200 meters and picked up a lot of places, but came up just short. We will have extra motivation going into regionals."
Amy Carpenter was the second Lee runner to finish. Carpenter placed ninth with a time of 19:02.17. Blakely Moore was 13
th with a mark of 19:12.39.
Charlee Boxall gave Lee four runners in the top 17. The freshman was 17
th with a time of 19:18.55. The fifth Lady Flame was Becca Umbarger at 22
nd (19:23.95).
Lee's two displacers were Savannah Ratcliff and Lacey Duvall. Ratcliff finished at 19:41.90 (31
st) and Duvall was 39
th (19:58.94). Lily Fell recorded a time of 20:04.58 to place 42
nd. Logan Hernandez was the final Lady Flame to cross the finish line. Hernandez posted a time of 20:48.65 to finish 60
th in the field of 90.
Smith and Carpenter earned spots on the All-GSC First Team by finishing in the top 10, while Moore and Boxall were named All-GSC Second Team.
"Thank you to all of the fans who came down on the spirit bus. Our athletes are grateful for your support," added Morgan.
Up next for the Lady Flames will be the NCAA Division II South Region Championship on Nov. 5. The event will be contested on The Abbey Course at Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, Fla.
Individual Medalist: Audrey Smith, Lee
Freshman of the Year: Marlee Mason, Alabama Huntsville
Coach of the Year: Gary Johnson, Union
All-GSC First Team
Audrey Smith, Lee
Cecelia David, UWA
Tyra Holloway, VSU
Janey Berends, UU
Leah Sikorski, SU
Angel Sillivant, UAH
Amy Carpenter, Lee
Amy McKelvey, Union
All-GSC Second Team
Kaleigh Akers, MC
Meghan McShea, VSU
Blakely Moore, Lee
Rebecca Tankersley, UU
Amanda Leatherwood, UU
Emilee Hudsmith, UNA
Charlee Boxall, Lee
Lindsey Jakeman, UU
Renee Cox, UWF
Taylor Dove, UWG
