Valdosta, Ga. – The Lake-Sumter State College men's and women's cross country teams are off and running, pun intended. Both squads opened up the 2021 season in Valdosta, Ga. at the Valdosta State University Border Bash.
A gravel and somewhat muddy course welcomed the runners in meet number one of the season. The men ran first at a 7.25k distance. Colton Berquist, a freshman from West Orange HS, finished first for the Lakehawks in his collegiate cross country debut. His 25:11.0 time was good enough for 30th overall, but sixth amongst NJCAA competitors. Nicholas Atkinson, the only returning runner for the men's team, finished shortly behind his teammate with a time of 25:42.5, coming in eighth.
Nikolas Gibson and Jockyll Davis both completed the Border Bash inside the top 50 of all runners. Cooper Krug came in just outside the top 50 at 51. The team, as a whole, finished second behind Daytona State College, but ahead of NJCAA foes, Tallahassee Community College, Seminole State College and Florida State College – Jacksonville.
On the women's side, the Lakehawks ended the day sixth overall, but third in the NJCAA division. Kyja Williams returns for her final season after a second place finish in the Region 8 meet in 2020. She opened up 2021 top five among NJCAA runners. Williams' time of 21:47.4 put her third, finishing less than a minute behind the first place competitor.
Erica Bunk and Alexis Doll competed in their first college race Friday, finishing in the top 100 at 95 and 97 respectively in the pool of all runners, but top 20 in junior college athletes.
"I am very excited for the upcoming season," said Head Coach, Cristy Snellgroves. "We have a team of very talented and enthusiastic student-athletes that are excited to take on new challenges and continue our standard of excellence."
When asked about the new crop of freshman, Snellgroves had this to say. "Several of our athletes have come to cross country from track & field and will continue to improve as the season progresses. We applaud them for stepping out of their comfort zone and we look forward to watching their progress."
Both men's and women's cross country will be back on the course next weekend in Gainesville, Fla. at the UF Mountain Dew Invitational.