Piedmont University’s women’s and men’s cross country teams opened their 2023 seasons at the Young Harris XC Opener on Friday, September 1. Here’s a look at the results:
Women’s cross county
Senior Jaycie Ponce led the way for the women’s team, finishing the 4k in the top-25 with a time of 16:40.6. Ponce set the new Piedmont school record in the event.
Ponce was followed closely by sophomore Skyler Seeber, who clocked a time of 17:09.8 for the first race of the season. Fellow sophomore Hannah Marlowe finished third for the Lions with an 18:25.2, while TANEA DAVIS finished in 19:32.3. Sophomore Victoria Drouin ran a 25:25.9.
As a team, the Lions finished sixth overall as the only Division III team in the meet, finishing ahead of Division II Young Harris. Among the teams competing, the Lions faced two Division I opponents in Western Carolina and UNC-Asheville and three Division II foes.
The Lions return to the course Friday, September 8, in Milledgeville, Georgia, at the GMC Brickyard Invitational.
Complete women’s results:
Jaycie Ponce -16:40.6
Skyler Seeber – 17:09.8
Hannah Marlowe – 18:25.2
Tanea Davis – 19:32.3
Victoria Drouin – 25:25.9
Bella Caccamo – DNF
Men’s cross country
Senior Gary Halverson placed the highest on the men’s squad in 13th. Halverson’s 19:01.8 is a Piedmont school record and put him just mere seconds behind a Top 10 finish.
Halverson was followed behind by senior Walker Capelle and junior Tucker Cox who finished in 41st and 42nd. Just .7 seconds separate the pair as Capelle turned in a 20:15.0 and Cox crossed in 20:15.7. Junior Layton Bradford was the next Lion to cross the finish line, completing the 6k in 20:29.4. Rounding out the top five for the Lions, freshman Grady Sanders ran a 21:03.6 in his first collegiate race.
As a team, the Lions finished fifth overall as the only Division III team in the meet, finishing ahead of Division II Young Harris. Among the teams competing, the Lions faced two Division I opponents in Western Carolina and UNC-Asheville and two Division II foes.
The Lions are back in action on Friday, September 8, in Milledgeville, Georgia, at the GMC Brickyard Invitational.
Complete Men’s Results:
Gary Halverson – 19:01.8
Walker Capelle – 20:15.0
Tucker Cox – 20:15.7
Layton Bradford – 20:29.4
Grady Sanders – 21:03.6
Peter Sligh – 22:19.9
Parker Snelson – 22:29.5
Keegan Ivey – 22:30.1
Sam Maddox – 22:59.6
