Brenau cross country running strong, aiming high

For the past seven years, coach Susan McIntyre has worked diligently to develop Brenau Cross Country into a national-caliber program. It appears her work is paying off this year with two first place finishes -- at the Truett McConnell College Invitational and Southern Wesleyan University Invitational -- as well as a strong finish at the Queens College race this past weekend in Charlotte N.C.

For the first time ever, Brenau has been ranked first in the SSAC (Southern States Athletic Conference) for not only one but two weeks in a row and receiving votes to break into the top 25 nationally.

The Golden Tigers are led by NAIA national qualifier, sophmore Brittany Aikens formerly of Jackson County High School. Brittany was named SSAC Cross County Runner of the Week twice this season with a personal record (PR) time of 18 minutes, 45 seconds for a 5-kilometer race. This week at the Royal XC Challenge in Charlotte, Brittany earned another PR in 18:43.

Yet the Golden Tigers are far more than a one-runner team and feature a number of other standouts. Rounding out Brenau's top 7 are freshman, Alyssa Sale from North Forsyth High School (20:01), senior Ashley Tolland, (Forsyth Central, 20:39), sophomore Sara Saenz (Faith Academy, 20:46), junior Ana Lopera, (Flowery Branch, 21:53), sophomore Anaihi Ruiz, (East Hall, 21:33), freshman Jasmine Ray, (Walnut Grove, 21:55).

Brenau travels to Bluffington, SC. for the Sandshark Invitational on Oct. 20 and will finish the regular season with conference championships in Clinton, Miss., at Choctaw Trails. The NAIA Cross Country Nationals are in Vancouver, Wash., on Nov. 17.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2012/10/254105