Jaguar Runners Return

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- The Augusta State men and women's cross country teams will compete in this weekend's Bridgestone-Pacer Invitational at Pacer Path in Aiken, South Carolina.

This is both teams' first time competing in the event; it's also their first meet since opening the season on September 2 in the Appalachian State Invitational.

"This race will be a great chance for our teams to see how we stack up against some of the best teams in our conference," head coach Adam Ward said. "Our men and women have been doing very well in practice these last two weeks and are ready to race this weekend."

The Lady Jags will be led by four runners who placed in the top 22 at the PBC Championships last year – Lyndsay Nichols, Angela Woodward, Savannah Sutton, and Alicia Connolly. Nichols is the highest returning finisher from the regional meet, where she placed 23^rd, while Sutton and Woodward finished in the top 50 to count for the team's final score.

Meanwhile, the men return 10 lettermen from last year's squad, including all five scoring runners from the conference championships. Dustin Ross capped his year by leading the team with a ninth place finish in the PBC Championships, and then 46^th at the NCAA regional, just behind teammates Clayton Holton (40^th) and Robert Blackwelder (44^th). Sophomores Matthew Johnson and Shane Huckeba also return to give the team its five scorers from last year's regionals.

The men open the event at 9:00 a.m., with an 8K race, and will be followed by the women at 9:45 a.m., in a 6K event. Results will be available at www.jaguarsroar.com.

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