GREENWOOD, S.C. - USC Aiken's women's cross country team placed eighth among 10 teams at the Peach Belt Conference Championships held today in Greenwood, S.C., and hosted by Lander University.
Marcie Milner (pictured at right) led USCA with a 25th place finish in a time of 20:21. Kennesaw State (26) easily claimed its ninth Peach Belt Championship by beating second place North Florida (42) by 16 points.
USC Aiken posted its best team finish since placing sixth among nine teams in the 1993 Peach Belt Conference Championships. Five of the six runners turned in their best time of the season in the biggest race of the season.
"I was really proud of our women," said USCA Head Coach David Lyle. "They ran so much faster than the first time we came here back in September."
Ashley Reedy (Jefferson, Md.) finished three spots behind Milner as both Lady Pacers turned in sub-21:00 times. Reedy's time of 20:32 was 13 seconds faster than her previous career best. Senior
Veronica Derico (Aiken, S.C.) ran the 5k in 22:12, her best of the season, and placed 47th.
Beata Szabo (Budapest, Hungary) finished 55th in 23 minutes flat and
Nichole Bennett (Augusta, Ga.) finished one spot behind in 56th after running the course in 23:03. Szabo bettered her best time by 53 seconds while Bennett improved upon her career best by two minutes and forty-six seconds.
Senior
Ashley Northington (Aiken, S.C.) posted her personal best in the last race of her career. Northington placed 63rd in a time of 24:28, 47 seconds faster than her previous best.
The Lady Pacers have concluded their 2004 season and will now go to work preparing for the 2005 campaign.
USCA Individual Results
25.
Marcie Milner ...............20:21
28.
Ashley Reedy .............20:32
47.
Veronica Derico ..........22:12
55.
Beata Szabo ...............23:00
56.
Nichole Bennett ...........23:03
63.
Ashley Northington ......24:28
Individual Winner
Allison Kreutzer, Clayton State 17:24
Team Standings
1. Kennesaw State .......26
2. North Florida .............42
3. Clayton State ............99
4. Lander .....................146
5. Columbus State .......148
6. Francis Marion .........174
7. UNC Pembroke .........204
8. USC Aiken ...............206
9. Georgia College & State University ...211
10. Augusta State .......229
