Ford and McClay Record Personal Bests to Lead Runnin' Bulldogs at Queens Royal Challenge
October 12, 2013 | Cross Country
Charlotte, N.C. - Gardner-Webb cross country saw team-leading performances from Jenna Ford and Mike McClay, pioneering a strong performance for the Runnin' Bulldogs at the Queens Royal Challenge at McAlpine Park in Charlotte, N.C.
Freshman Jenna Ford (Wasilla, Alaska) led the Runnin' Bulldog women, posting the team's fastest time at a personal best 19:16.5 in the 5K race. Ford, who closed fast to move up for a 23rd place finish in the event, has posted the fastest time on the women's side in each meet of the season.
Sophomore Claire Cates (Hillsborough, N.C.) was next for GWU, also posting a personal best on the 5K course at 19:46.5. Following Cates was senior Katie Spiro (Sylva, N.C.), whose time of 20:46.8 marked a personal best 5K performance.
Sophomore Kaycee Martin (Madison, Ala.) and senior Megan Frost (Crofton, Md.) rounded out the top 5 for Gardner-Webb, finishing in 22:39.5 (personal best) and 22:40.5, respectively.
Taylor Cook (Boone, N.C.) added a personal best performance, finishing with a 5K time of 23:42.6.
Senior Mike McClay (Lawrenceville, Ga.) raced to a personal best time of 25:11.6 in the men's 8K, leading Gardner-Webb in the event. McClay, who placed a team-high fourth in the event, has led the GWU men in each meet of the 2013 season to date.
Sophomore Josh Ceasar (Bardstown, Ky.) recorded the second-fastest time for GWU on Friday, finishing the 8K course in 28:14.9.
Seniors Justin Loy (Burrington, N.H.) and freshman James Haynes (Charlotte, N.C.) were next for Gardner-Webb, finishing the 8K course in 28:20.4 and 28:36.2, respectively. Haynes' 8K time marked a personal best.
GWU's Trey Crook, a senior from Lexington, N.C., raced to a time of 29:01.2 on Friday. Fellow senior Drew Ford (Wasilla, Alaska) raced to a personal best time of 29:01.2, and junior Nick Rogers (Monroe, Ga.) achieved a time of 30:42.8.
Sophomore Aaron Cronk (West Jefferson, N.C.) also ran a personal best time on Friday, finishing with a time of 32:55.8.
Gardner-Webb cross country is next scheduled to compete at the Blue Ridge Open (Boone, N.C.) in a final tuneup prior to Big South Championships (11/2; Lexington, VA).
