TALLULAH FALLS — To complete the sweep at home, the Piedmont College women's cross country team dominated the 2016 USA South Conference meet, winning the conference championship. The championship marks the first for Piedmont since joining the league in 2012 as they scored 37 points with runners up Meredith scoring 80.
Reese Bowles took the individual title as she led throughout the race running a 23:42.80. Bowles recorded a school record, personal best and new course record as she is now undefeated at home. The junior from Jefferson, Georgia has won each of the three meets held on the home course (2015 Piedmont Invitational, 2016 Piedmont Invitational, 2016 USA South Championship).
Casey Todd finished fourth overall in the meet as the top freshman in the conference running a 25:00.40. Todd earned USA South Rookie of the Year and joined Bowles on the first team all-conference listing.
Monica Jimenez saved the best for the championship as she had a personal best running a 25:59.70 finishing third for Piedmont and ninth overall. Kristin Whitlock was also top 10 in the meet as she was just seconds off Jimenez with a 26:08.80. Piedmont finished with four athletes in the top 10 as no other school had more than two in the top 10.
Analee Bradach stepped up to fill the fifth spot for Piedmont posting a 26:25.00 coming in 13th while Melanie Rimawi ran a 26:42.50 finishing 18th. Mackenzie Devine was also in the top 25 running a 27:11.60 while Amber Duffy posted a 29:42.60.
For the Lady Lions, this marks the first championship in the USA South after being picked preseason No. 3. Piedmont was able to put seven runners across before Meredith's fourth runner giving Piedmont the decisive advantage.