BELMONT, N.C. – The Converse University women's cross country team won their first ever Conference Carolinas Championship on Saturday morning at McAlpine Park, the men's team finished fifth overall their highest ever finish at the conference championship meet.
"I am very proud of both of our programs," Converse University head cross country coach
Mark Rennix said. "They competed with heart and ran for each other. We had 14 new personal records, a school record eight all-conference performances, our best team finishes in program history and many more accomplishments. The women winning is the obvious accomplishment but the work and sacrifice each of these student-athletes have put in behind the scenes is why I am most proud. The outcomes are great but the journey is what we'll remember forever. Converse Cross Country is just getting started."
The women's team tallied a total of 31 points and captured the conference crown by 36 points over UNC Pembroke who finished runner up in the meet. The Valkyries 6K top-5 average of 22:50 was a new program record for the team as it was one of many highlights on the day for the program. Rennix was named Conference Carolinas Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year.
Lauren Beatty placed second overall in the Championships and earned First Team All-Conference honors for the second time in her career. Beatty's time of 22:21 was also a new personal record for the sophomore.
Ruth Spijker and Ashely Sosa finished right behind Beatty in fourth and fifth place to capture First Team All-Conference accolades as well. Both Spijker and Sosa ran personal bests in the Championships to help the Valkyries lock up the first-place finish.
Kamille Dixon finished ninth overall to round out the Valkyries top-10 performances.
Froukje Mons and
Anne van den Broek secured top-15 finishes, Mons finished 11
th overall while van den Broek finished 14
th. All three runners earned Second Team All-Conference accolades for their performances.
Bayley Robinson recorded a new personal record in the meet and finished 24
th overall and freshman
Paisley Stepp rounded out the Valkyries championship team with a 26
th place finish in the meet.
Women's Notes:
The men's cross country team had an historic outing at the 2023 Conference Carolinas Championship meet. The Valkyries finished fifth overall, their highest finish since the program started three years ago. The men's cross country team also set a program record for fastest 8k average with a time of 26:26 in the meet.
Transfer Alex Sosa made an immediate impact for the Valkyries in the championship meet, Sosa paced the Valkyries men's team and finished seventh overall in the meet. Sosa's time of 25:36.2 was a new program record in the 8k but also earned him First Team All-Conference honors.
Junior
Luis Rios Brena was second across the line for the Valkyries and finished 16
th overall in the meet. Rios Brena earned Third Team All-Conference accolades for his performance in the meet. Former Freshman of the Month
Alain Flores set a new personal record in the meet when he crossed the finish line 35
th overall.
Jaxon Wright crossed the line in 39
th place,
DreQuan Guyton placed 45
th overall,
Spenser Kirby finished 74
th overall and
Nathan Lucy rounded out the team with an 82
nd place finish. Wright, Guyton and Kirby all finished with personal bests in the championship meet.
Men's Notes:
Next Up:
The Valkyries will have a few weeks off before heading to the Peach State to compete in the NCAA Southeast Regionals.
