Jags Men Third At Regionals
Jaiden Brandt takes second overall to pace GRU and ensure a Nationals berth
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – GRU Augusta sent both teams to the NCAA Southeast Regionals at McAlpine Creek Park where senior Jaiden Brandt placed second to lead the No. 2 Jaguars to third overall and give them a berth to the NCAA Nationals, while the women took 15th in Charlotte, N.C.
The Jags men will race in Spokane, Wash., on Nov. 23rd for the NCAA Championship 10K. The top-three teams from regionals automatically go to nationals.
The women started the day with a 31-team 6K featuring 211 student-athletes. Freshman Jordan Humphrey paced the Jags for the second time this year in 23:40.7 for 43rd and junior Jessica Carpenter took 51st in 24:00.4. Rachel Garabedian notched 69th in 24:32.9 and Morgan Ryffe finished in 26:06.6 for 126th. Emily Menendez (26:36.6) and Tia Ponsell (29:49.3) took 145th and 198th to round out GRU Augusta for 15th overall.
King senior Hannah Witt won the overall event in 21:46.0, while Wingate won the team event followed by Flagler, Columbus State, Clayton State, and UNC Pembroke for the top five. The Peach Belt Conference had seven schools in the top ten for the women’s race.
Senior Jaiden Brandt, the PBC Runner of the Year, led the Jaguars to a third-place team finish – taking second overall in 31:09.0. Senior Dustin Ross placed 12th in 32:01.1, Preston Jones took 17th in 32:16.2, and Nick Del Guercio notched 30th in 32:51.2. Shane Huckeba took 45th in 33:36.7 and Matt Johnson (33:39.1) and Adam Aldridge (36:24.6) rounded out GRU in 52nd and 131st.
The Jags took third out of 28 teams, with Mount Olive winning the event and King taking second while Mars Hill and Columbus State finished out the top five.
View the NCAA Southeast Regional Page below:
http://www.queensathletics.com/sports/2013/7/25/2013ncaaCC.aspx?path=mcross