FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Contact:  Robert Preston, Jr.,
              912.260.4276
              robert.preston@sgc.edu

McCrea Turns in SGC’s Best Time in Marietta

The Southern Challenge in Marietta proved to be just that – a major challenge – for the South Georgia College cross country team on Oct. 10.

The Tigers made their longest trip and tackled their toughest course to date. SGC was one of nine teams that participated in the meet, which featured a very difficult, hilly and uneven course through scenic Wildwood Park, located beside the campus of Life University in Marietta. The team faced the additional challenge of impending showers – forecasts called for rain throughout the morning on Saturday that threatened to turn the course into a slippery mess. Thankfully, the showers held off and runners were able to finish the race without having the added worry of rain.

The first few races of the season were plagued with hot, humid weather. Cool temperatures in Marietta were a nice diversion from the stifling South Georgia heat. However, the difficulty of the course canceled much of the benefit the cooler weather provided. The women’s race started first, and SGC’s Shemeka Brown brought back an unwelcome report to the men: Lots of hills, tricky footing, slick bridges, and a number of twists and turns. “It wasn’t easy,” she said after the race.

Shemeka turned in a time of 27 minutes flat, a time of almost two and a half minutes off her best in GJCAA competition. The route contributed to a slower time, but she also stumbled – literally – on an uneven downhill near the middle of the course that cost her a great deal of time. Her finish landed her in 65th place.

The men, armed with Shemeka’s race report, took the course an hour later not knowing what to expect. The biggest surprise of the day came from Logan McCrea, who ran his fastest eight-kilometer race of the year on the season’s hardest route. Logan covered the five miles in 35:30 (47th place). Oscar Alvarado, who has been a model of consistency this year, finished almost a minute later in 36:27 (51st place). The rest of the SGC runners came in as follows: Tyler Sherman (38:28, 60th), Howard Stanley (40:03, 63rd), Angel Garet (40:44, 64th), Andrew Palmer (43:24, 67th) and Vincent Chandler (74th).

“I think the Southern Challenge was an eye-opening experience for our runners. They saw what some of the best runners in the state are doing, and it only reinforced what we’ve been trying to teach them all season. The men are still adjusting to racing eight kilometers, particularly on such difficult courses. The good news is that everyone is showing signs of improvement, and we are getting faster. Our main goal is to do well at the conference meet at the end of the month, and we are on track to peak in two weeks,” said SGC coach Robert Preston Jr.

The Tigers are schedule to race on Friday, Oct. 16 at Stetson University in Deland, Fla.

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About South Georgia College

South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu) was founded in 1906 and is a two-year institution in the University System of Georgia. Located in Douglas, Ga., the college's environment gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty.