GAINESVILLE, Ga - Brenau University cross country runner, Ashley Tolland, has been named Golden Tiger of the Week. With only a year of experience under her belt, she finished with a time of 21:49, in the 5k Southeast Cross Country Classic (hosted by Berry College).  

This senior has achieved a lot, in such a short amount of time. "It is a huge accomplishment for a runner to break the 22 minute mark, in just a year. Ashley has been progressing at an impressive rate, and it is a joy to have the opportunity to coach her", commented Head Coach Susan McIntyre.

When compared to last season, Tolland has shaved over 4 minutes off her time, in the 5k. "She is the true definition of a student-athlete." Coach McIntyre went on to say, "the time she spends working on her running and her dedication to helping me build this team is phenomenal."

ROME, Ga - The Brenau University cross country team competed in the Southeast Cross Country Classic, on Saturday morning. The Golden Tigers finished 22nd in the 5k event, out of 35 teams. Among the 309 runners that were present, Brenau managed to make a name for themselves. 

Brittany Aikens (Braselton, GA) finished 41st, with a time of 19:42. Ana Lopera (Flowery Branch, GA) finished with a time of 21:26, allowing her to place at 118^th, while Ashley Tolland (Cumming, GA) set a personal record of 21:49, earning her a finish as 137th. Sarah Saenz (Lawrenceville, GA) participated for the first time this season, finishing with a time of 21:56 at 141st. Anahi Ruiz (Gainesville, GA) also had a good day, setting a personal record of 23:11, finishing 182nd.   Nelli Martirosyan (Yerevan, Armenia) continued to push herself as she made a time of 25:37 at 210th.

Ten teams from the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) were present, and when compared to these teams Brenau finished 6th. Shorter led their conference opponents by finishing 8th in the event, with Lee at 12th. Southern Wesleyan University was not far behind placing 15th, with Loyola nipping at their heels at 16th. Spring Hill College finished 20th, and our very own Golden Tigers took 22nd. Emmanual College placed 28th, and William Carey was in their shadows at 29th. Truett-McConell kept fighting finishing 31st, and Belhaven rounded the pack off at 32nd.

Head Coach Susan McIntyre was pleased with Brenau's performance in the Classic. "Ashley has been running only a year now and has made incredible progress.  Today she set a personal record, with a time of 21:49…this is the first time she has broken a 22 minute 5K", stated Coach McIntyre.

"As Brittany continues to lead the team, finishing with a time of 19:42 today, she is setting herself apart from the majority of the runners. She finished 8^th among the conference teams that participated, and her training appears to be right on schedule for her first conference meet", McIntyre went on to say.

The Golden Tigers cross country team has their sights set on Clinton, Mississippi. They will travel there to compete in the SSAC Conference Meet, at the Choctaw Trails on Saturday, November 5th.