By: Hunter McKay
Final Results
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Kennesaw State men's and women's cross country teams closed the season at the NCAA South Regionals at John Hunt Cross Country Running Park on Friday morning as nine athletes finished with personal-best performances.
The women finished 13th which was good for the best finish at the NCAA South Regionals in school history. The men's team secured 15th place.
The women were led Sarah Hendrick in the 6k race. Hendrick ran a time of 20:38.1 in her final collegiate cross country race to finish 31st. Her time ranks third in the 6k in program history. She was followed very closely by Caroline Timm. Timm finished in a time of 20:41.2, good for No. 4 in school history. Natalie Cummings was the next Owl to cross the finish line in a time of 21:55.1 to take 101st. Anna James (21:58.5) and Faith Boback (21:59.1) rounded out the scoring for the Owls in 107th and 109th place.
On the men's side, Gavin Frick paced the Owls in the 10k. Frick finished 58th in a time of 31:19.60. Jack Stansell (31:49.60) and Grant Crabtree (31:50.70) crossed the line in 84th and 85th place. Koi Williams took home 90th in a time of 31:57.70 in his final collegiate cross country race. Joe Pontrelli finished 127th in a time of 33:00.50 and secured 127th.
Quotable
Gavin Frick
"I can't express how proud of these men I am. The smile still hasn't left my face. It's just so awesome seeing everybody's hard work pay off. We went into today with the mindset we were going to have fun and it was evident at the start line. I can't say enough good things about this group and I'm proud to be a part of this history-making team."
Sarah Hendrick
"I am so pleased with how the women ran today. Many of them got out to a bad start but stayed strong and finished with a big surge to get the highest finish we have had at this meet in school history. We are taking baby steps in the right direction each year and that's all we could ask for. As my last cross country race in the black and gold, I could never express how proud I am of these women. This program has made amazing strides and I am more than blessed to have been a part of something so amazing. Even after I am gone, I know they will continue to take this momentum for years after as I watch as an alumnus."
Cale McDaniel
"This season has moved Kennesaw cross country forward and closer to where we want to be as a program. It's a huge tribute to the athletes and coach Adam Bray. Thank you to our cross country seniors, they went out competing hard for the Owls."
Next Up
The Owls will be back in action on Friday, Jan. 13 when the indoor track and field season gets underway at the Jim Green Invitational.
Keep up with Owls cross country teams by following KSU on Twitter at @KSUOwlNation and @KSUTrackFieldXC, on Instagram @ksuowlstrackxc or by liking Kennesaw State Owls on Facebook.
