Women's Cross Country | 10/18/2014 12:29:00 PM

Montevallo, Ala.----The Wingate University women's cross country team claimed second place in the 19-team Falcon Classic field Saturday. Host the University of Montevallo is also the site of the 2014 and 2016 NCAA Division II Southeast Region men's and women's cross country meets (women's 6K results, men's 8K results).
 
Wingate sophomore Alyssa Johnson (San Jose, Calif.) continues her stellar performances, as the 2013 All-South Atlantic Conference first team selection earned fifth place with a 6K time of 23:16.50. On Saturday, 162 runners completed the course.
 
The Bulldogs had five runners in the top 40 finishers. WU graduate student Brianna Stevens (Coshocton, Ohio) was 17th with a 24:25.30 6K posting. Junior Samantha Haering (Chalfont, Pa.) was next on the Wingate charts, taking 26th place with a 6K time of 24:41.70.
 
Wingate senior Austin Hoffman (Valdese, N.C.) and sophomore Morgan Neher (Sedalia, Colo.) were 35th (24:55.20) and 36th (24:55.70), respectively. Freshman Valerie Griesche (Ingolstadt, Germany) was Wingate's top newcomer Saturday, as she finished 40th with a 6K time of 25:16.50.
 
"Our women are still not at 100 percent," Wingate head women's cross country coach Joe Soehnlen says. "In spite of this fact, we feel we're closing the gap on those in front of us. If we can get a couple people to be patient and let some injuries heal, we feel like we can challenge for the regional title."
 
Montevallo claimed the Falcon Classic team title with 58 points. Wingate was second with 111 markers. The remainder of the top five on the team leader board includes Mars Hill (118), King (140) and Columbus State (179). The WU Bulldog women are the defending South Atlantic Conference and Southeast Region champions.
 
Next Saturday, Wingate will host the Bulldog Stampede at the WU Cross Country Facility. The men's 8K race will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the women's 5K to follow at 10:15 a.m. The Bulldog Stampede is part of the University's homecoming festivities.