Cross Country heads to NCAA South Regionals

        Coming off a strong end to their season, Cross Country is set to compete in the NCAA South Regionals in Tuscaloosa, Ala. this Saturday.

        Both men's and women's teams ended their regular season on high notes.

On the women's side, they recently earned third place overall at the CAA Championship, along with two first place finishes at the Coach "O" invite and the Jaguar Invite.

       On the men's side, they recently earned fourth place at the CAA Championship, along with first place also in the Coach "O" Invite and second place at the Jaguar Invite.

      With the NCAA South Region- als around the corner, head coach Chris England said his team does their daily routine to help prepare for the event.

      "After the high of doing well at the CAA Championship, we are back to business this week preparing for the regional meet," England said. "We're preparing just like we do for every meet.    

         We have daily morning practice and weights as well as being mentally prepared

for the next competition." Freshman star Hannah Stefanoff has helped the women's team shine with her outstanding running. So far, she has earned six individual awards.

She recently finished in the top 12 competitors by placing ninth at the CAA Championship and was also the second freshmen female to cross the finish line. Additionally, she has had three first place finishes this season. England thinks she is a great asset for the team.

      "Being just a freshman, she doesn't have much to say, but she is running extremely well and her results show that," England said. "She is also pushing her teammates and motivating them to run with her. Her success has helped the other runners become successful as well. She's made a great impact, and we still have one more race to go."

        Sophomore Valentin Poncelet has also helped men's team with their success. Recently at the CAA Championship, he placed eighth overall, while at the Coach "O" Invite he placed first, following another first place finish at the Jaguar Invite.

       "With Valentin being a transfer student, he's already proven that he can run well at the collegiate level," England said. "His addition to Georgia State and his previous success and experience has only helped a formerly struggling men's team to improve greatly. Not only that, but [it's exciting] for the future of GSU men's cross country."

The men's 10K race will begin at 10 a.m. while the women's 6K race will begin at 11:15 a.m.