FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, September 10, 2010

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

SGC Cross Country Breaks into Top 25

The South Georgia College Tigers cross country team has reached an important milestone just one week into the 2010 season. For the first time in the history of the young program, the cross country team has broken into the national top 25. According to the first national rankings released Thursday, the men’s team sits at 23rd in the country while the women’s team is 24th. The Tigers also have three men (Brandon Lundin, Samuel Caldwell, and Daniel Chavez) ranked in the top 15 in the conference. Three Lady Tigers (Jennifer Cumbus, Minerva Arreguin, and Courtlyn Fussell) are in the conference top 10 as well. “This has already been a great season – and we’re just one week in. These runners have all worked extremely hard and they take great pride in representing their school and community. They deserve every bit of recognition they receive,” says Robert Preston Jr., SGC cross country coach.

The news of the national rankings comes on the heels of another strong performance this week. The team participated in the annual Labor Day 5K in Valdosta. Though not a cross country meet, the Tigers locked horns with several of Valdosta State’s cross country runners, who were also on hand for the event. The Labor Day 5K has grown into one of south Georgia’s biggest road races and some of the best runners in the area show up every year. Samuel Caldwell was first among the SGC contingent with a 17:11, which earned him first in his age group and fourth overall. Brandon Lundin (17:27, eighth overall) and Daniel Chavez (17:30, ninth overall, second in age group) also cracked the top 10. Mark McLeod (18:53), Ashe Kelly (19:15), Josh Holcombe (19:48), and John Adams (20:56) rounded out SGC’s men. In the women’s race, Jennifer Cumbus ran a season-best 21:19 and finished sixth overall. Minerva Arreguin (23:01), Courtlyn Fussell (24:21), Sunshine Carter (25:29, second in age group), and Shukia Jones also ran strong races.

The cross country team is in action today at Georgia Southwestern State University’s Remembrance Run.

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About South Georgia College

South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu) was founded in 1906 and is an accredited 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. With over 20 majors and transfer opportunities, South Georgia College provides the finest education possible to the citizens of its service area.