Lady Wildcats Shine in SIAC Cross Country Championship

By: FVSU Office of Sports Information

The Fort Valley State University (FVSU) Lady Wildcats Cross Country Team punctuated the end of their season with a strong second place finish in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Championship on Saturday, September 24^th.  Held at the Clayton County International Park & Beach, the SIAC Championship featured teams from all 12 member institutions with a field of 69 runners.  Under first year, Interim Head Coach Anthony Broadnax, the Lady Wildcats placed second with a team total time of 1:52:40.93.  The total time was just seconds behind the first place Lady Panthers of Clark Atlanta University who finished with a team time of 1:50:06.71.

Individually, the Lady Wildcats got outstanding performances from freshmen runners Shamel Stidwell and Latonya Payne.  Stidwell finished second in the 5K event with a time of 20:50:04. Stidwell's time was just three seconds ahead of teammate Latonya Payne who finished third with a time of 20:53.94.  Both runners garnered SIAC First Team All-Conference honors.

The Lady Wildcat finish was further highlighted by the performances of the other five team members.  Of the extensive field of runners, all FVSU participants placed in the top 35 positions.  In addition to the second and third place finish of Stidwell and Payne, freshman Candis Gary finished 14^th with a time of 23:03.24.  Junior Zaneta McGhee posted a 19^th place finish with a time of 23:33.24 while the freshman Jasmine Boone clocked a time of 24:21.47 to finish 22^nd.  FVSU's Nakela Jackson finished the course in 24:50.44 to take the 29^th position while freshman LaCreasha Brewton crossed the tape at 25:28.44 to finish 33^rd.

According to Coach Broadnax, “Our second place finish is a testament to how hard this group of student-athletes really worked. Given the early obstacles the team had to overcome just to get this season started, the overall season results show a team full of heart, determination, and character.  I am so proud of these young ladies.”

-30-