Cross Country Looks To Contend With Versatile Team
The Brenau University Golden Tigers cross country team, coming off its best season in program history, looks to build off a strong recruiting class and challenge for the SSAC championship.
Leading the pack is junior Brittany Aikens (Braselton, Ga.) who finished 2nd in the SSAC meet last season. A two-time NAIA national qualifier, Aikens looks to continue to push the pace and build on her record-breaking first two seasons.
Other veteran runners from last year's SSAC 4th place squad include senior Ana Lopera (Flowery Branch, GA), juniors Anahi Ruiz (Gainesville, Ga.) and Sarah Saenz (Lawrenceville, Ga.), sophomores Deishane' Honeycutt (Stone Mountain, Ga.), Tyana Luna (Lawrenceville, Ga.) and Jasmine Ray (Appling, Ga.).
Coach Susan McIntyre adds seven new talented runners to add to the team's veteran core. Local athlete Tori Mullinax (Gainesville, GA), was GHSA runner-up in the 3200 meters and placed 10th at the USATF Junior Olympic Nationals. Another local runner, sophomore transfer Utami Ketchem (Flowery Branch, GA), is a strong runner who has battled through illness and injury, but brings maturity and dedication to the team.
Two long sprinters add strength and explosiveness to the squad. Freshmen Anazjah Mayes (Dacula, GA), the 2013 Green County Tiger Invitational Champion in the 400 and 800 meters, and Monika Nwajei (Dunwoody, GA), a protégée of former track Olympian Antonio McKay, will add to the team's speed and athleticism.
Aunica Clinton (Buford, GA), Ismaelle Occeus (Lawrenceville, GA) and Natalie Williams (Dalton, GA) bring talent and depth to the squad. Clinton is a 400 and 800 meters track specialist who is cross-training for Cross Country. Occeus is a also dual-sport athlete who will also contribute in the jumping events for the Track and Field team. Williams will also pull double-duty with the track and field team and rounds out this versatile group. During her senior year, the Dalton native was a top 30 finisher at the GHSA class 4A championships.
Coach McIntyre notes the great start to the year, saying, "This past Monday was our first practice as a team and we did a relay run on some forest service roads in the Chattahoochee forest near Dahlonega. Our new team members showed a lot of mental toughness throughout the run. I look forward to our first race to see just how close the times are within our team members. The returning team members put in good mileage this summer and look strong for the 2013 season".
The cross country team opens their season at the Western Carolina Time Trial in Culowhee, NC on August 30th. On September 14th, the Golden Tigers will race in Gainesville for the first time in program history at the University of North Georgia at Gainesville.
With a deeper and more talented team, the Golden Tigers look to run to the top of the SSAC Conference.