Cross Country teams win repeat conference championships

HANCEVILLE, Ala. — The Wallace State men’s and women’s cross country teams each won their sixth consecutive Alabama Community College Conference championships Friday at John Hunt Cross Country Park in Huntsville.

The men had seven runners in the top 10, finishing 23 points ahead of second-place finisher Marion Military Institute. Wallace State sophomore Colin Mayfield of Geraldine, crossed the finish line first, earning his second consecutive title as ACCC Runner of the Year.

All-Conference honors were awarded to sophomore Brady Helms of Pearl, MS, freshman Luke Kennedy of Huntsville, sophomore Jonathan Phillips of Pearl, MS, and freshman David Robles of Springville, who finished in third through sixth place. Freshman Will Stephens of Daphne, and sophomore Luke Holcombe of Southside completed the race in ninth and tenth place, respectively.

The women’s squad finished 47 points ahead of the second-place team Shelton State Community College. Freshman Rudi Derrick of Good Hope was named ACCC Women’s Runner of the Year, finishing first among qualified runners.

Earning All-Conference honors were freshmen Abigale Vega of Fort Payne, who finished in second place, Claire Deaton of Madison in fourth, and Mandy Leonardi of Cullman, Kylie Powell of Mobile, and Madison Wright of Fort Payne in sixth, seventh and eighth place, respectively.

Coach Stan Narewski was awarded ACCC Coach of the Year honors for both the men’s and women’s division for the fifth time.

Both teams will compete in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Cross Country Championship Nov. 11, also at John Hunt Cross Country Park in Huntsville. The men’s team is ranked sixth in the nation in the NJCAA Division II Men’s Cross Country National Coaches Poll, while the women are ranked fourth in the NJCAA Division II Women’s Cross Country National Coaches Poll.

 

See photos from ACCC Cross Country Championships: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjB1xZN