Golden Tigers Hit the Ground Running

CLARKSVILLE, Ga - The Brenau University cross country team opened the season at the North Georgia Technical College Invitational, this past Friday. There were five teams in attendance - Brenau University, Toccoa Falls College, Truett McConnell College, Piedmont College, and North Georgia Technical College.

Freshman Brittany Aikens (Brasselton, GA) led the way and set a course record time of 20:39. The Golden Tigers had three runners finish in the top ten. Sophomore, Ana Lopera (Flowery Branch, GA), ended the race in sixth place, with a time of 23:22, as Ashley Tolland (Cumming, GA) not only finished ninth in the race, but she set a personal best time of 23:45. Freshman Anahi Ruiz (Gainesville, GA) and Senior Nelli Martirosyan (Yerevan, Armenia) rounded out Brenau's top five scorers.

The Golden Tigers finished the race in great stride, and seized 2nd place honors, at the invitational. At the conclusion of the competition, individual awards were presented. In the women's division, Brittany Aikens finished 1st place. Sherri Blalock, from North Georgia Technical College, took 2nd, and Clessie Kendrick clenched 3rd, representing Toccoa Falls.

"I was very impressed with Aiken's performance. She has given this team a new drive and attitude. As our team grows this season, while they continue to better their times, I hope to continue to see the chemistry that they have managed to build", stated Coach McIntyre.

The cross country team will race again in Macon at Mercer Runfit Sports Invitational on Saturday, September 17th.