Women's Cross Country capped off a solid 2019 campaign in October. The team featured three fresh faces along with two returning sophomores in Sadie Lane and Alexis Kyle to provide experienced leadership.
The Lady Cougars opened their season at the Mountaintop Invitational at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Ga., placing third overall as a team. Angie Torres and Lane went back-to-back in the race, placing 13th and 14th overall to begin their seasons.
Torres was a solid newcomer to the team, as she placed first on the team in four of the Lady Cougars' six meets. She set personal bests in the 5k, with a time of 24:15.32, at the UNA Invitational in Florence, Ala. on Sept. 7 and the 6k, with a mark of 29:39.24, at the Maryville Invitational in Maryville, Tenn. on Sept. 27.
The most impressive team performance, though the Lady Cougars were down two runners and Cleveland State did not field a full team to appear in the overall standings, came at the Berry Invitational. Lane, Jordan Wagers, and Lydia Hollis all set multiple minute personal bests in the 6k in Rome, Ga. Lane was the top finisher for the Lady Cougars in the race with a time of 29:50.08.
Cleveland State also competed in the inaugural TCCAA Region VII Championship meet in Maryville, Tenn. at Maryville College. Though they again were not able to field a full team, the Lady Cougars finished as Region Runner-Up. Lane was the top finisher in the 5k for the team, placing fifth overall with a time of 24:46, which was a personal best.
"I can't express how proud I am of these ladies and their effort despite the fact they couldn't field a full team late in the season," said interim head coach Lindsey Beck. "Every single member worked hard all year and saw it pay off with big personal records throughout the year. Our sophomores will be missed and I can't wait to see how the freshmen will improve next season."
Stay tuned to cscougars.com for updates on the 2020 Women's Cross Country season.
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