VSU runners finish fifth at conference meet

Published 7:01 am Sunday, October 21, 2012

Both of the Valdosta State cross country teams finished fifth at the Gulf South Conference Championship on Saturday.

Valdosta State’s men’s team tallied 142 total points, and finished 103 points behind GSC champion Alabama-Huntsville. West Alabama was second with 51 points, West Florida earned third with 54 points and Christian Brothers (99 points) placed fourth.

VSU’s Jesse Prince finished 19th in the eight-kilometer race with a time of 27:26, and was named second team all-conference. Nathinael Wondimu was 34th with a time of 28:20. Parker Childree finished the race in 28:38 to come home 36th. Dale Smith placed 39th (28:53), with Ryan Winkel was 44th with a time of 29:24. Carlos Ponce was 58th (31:56).

Valdosta State’s women’s team registered 119 points, and finished 75 points behind GSC champion West Florida. Alabama-Huntsville was second with 62 points, followed by West Georgia with 66 and Delta State with 105.

VSU’s Juliana Boehm covered the 5K women’s course in a time of 20:04, and finished third. Boehm was a first-team all-conference selection. Ashley Luther finished 26th with a time of 21:10, and was named second team all-conference.

Danielle Jarnagin was 39th at 21:45. Taylor Harrington was 42nd at 21:56. Rachel Gutierrez placed 50th at 22:08. Sarah Turner finished 65th in 23:03. Lisa Connelly rounded out the squad in 71st at 23:49.

Valdosta State returns to action on Nov. 3 at the NCAA South Region Championship in Huntsville, Ala.