The men and women’s JV cross country teams traveled to Truett-McConnell College this past Friday to run in the Truett-McConnell Invitational. The women finished fourth, while the men finished seventh.

Freshman Esteban Salazar finished first for the team with a time of 37:34. This is Salazar’s first time leading the Lions.

“The race was really hard. I just try to pace myself so that I could have a good finish . The course was really difficult but I fought threw the hills and finished first for the team,” said Salazar. “It was a mental and physical course.”

Brandon Singh followed Salazar with a strong run at 37:49. This put Singh at 31 overall.

“Me and my buddy Brandon helped each other out and stayed together for the firsts four miles and then gave it all we could the last mile,” said Salazar.

Also posting scores for the Lions on the day was Craig Williams (51st, 43:59), Quentin Deaton (44:08), Casey Torgensen (49:01) and Brannon Shedd (51:12).

Freshman Carrie Ruis set the pace on the woman’s side crossing the finish line at 24:16 for an overall 10 place of 63 runners. A minute later, freshman Megan Lawhead crossed at 25:10.

Rounding out the field for the Lady Lions was Deirdre Devlin (25:19), Summer Lewis (27:21), Harley Palmer (30:59) and Virginia Walton (34:14).

“It wasn’t my best time but the course was really hard and deemed as ‘the hardest course in North Georgia,’” said sophomore Summer Lewis. “The last 1 mile started with a straight hill finish called “Goat Mountain” that everyone had to walk up because it was so strenuous.”