APSU Sports: Women’s Cross Country
Huntsville, AL – Sophomore Xiamar Richards won the women’s five-kilometer race and Austin Peay State University women’s cross country team finished third at the Fleet Feet Sports/Earl Jacoby Memorial at Sharon Johnston Park.
Richards, who finished the course in a time of 19:11, became the first Lady Govs runner to win an individual title since Bertha Castillo won this race during the 2008 season. She finished the course 31 seconds ahead of her closest competitor.
The Lady Govs finished third (83 points) in a meet dominated by regionally-ranked teams from the Division II level. They finished behind West Florida (43 points) and Delta State (60), which were ranked eighth and fourth, respectively, in the Division II South Region preseason poll.
Richards led an effort that saw three Lady Govs finish among the top 20, including junior Chantelle Gray (17th, 20:47) and senior Janelle Avery (20th, 20:51). They were followed closely by sophomore Kendra Kirksey (21st, 20:54) and sophomore Miranda Week (24th, 21:21). Junior Alyssa Molnar (38th, 21:56) and sophomores Kayla Satterly (62nd, 25:09) and Shannon Christian (65th, 25:30) also competed for the Lady Govs.
“We ran better today,” said Molnar. “We still have to get more miles in during the week. We were winning this meet at the mile and a half mark and faded in the last mile. Overall it was a very good effort and we realize now what we have to do to get better.”
Austin Peay will have one week to prepare for the Georgia State Invitational, next Saturday.
