McClay Places 32nd in Men's 8K to Lead GWU Cross Country in Final Pre-Conference Tune-Up at Blue Ridge Open
October 18, 2013 | Cross Country
Boone, N.C. - Gardner-Webb cross country competed in its final meet prior to 2013 Big South Conference Cross Country Championships, getting team-leading performances from Jenna Ford and Mike McClay at the Blue Ridge Open on Friday.
Freshman Jenna Ford (Wasilla, Alaska) led GWU in the women's 5K on Friday, finishing the course with a time of 20:01.09. Sophomore Claire Cates (Hillsborough, N.C.) was next for the Runnin' Bulldogs, achieving a time of 20:54.45 in the event.
Senior Katie Spiro (Sylva, N.C.) secured GWU's third fastest time in the women's 5K, pacing for a time of 22:29.89 in the event.
Gardner-Webb's Megan Frost (Crofton, Md.) and Kaycee Martin (Madison, Ala.) rounded out the top five in the event, finishing at 23:33.80 and 23:58.90, respectively.
On the men's side, senior Mike McClay (Lawrenceville, Ga.) led Gardner-Webb, finishing the 8K course in 25:28.72. McClay, the reigning Runner of the Week for the Big South, has led the Runnin' Bulldog men in each meet of the 2013 season leading up to Big South Championships.
Sophomore Joshua Ceasar (Bardstown, Ky.) was next for GWU, racing to a time of 28:23.05 on the hilly Boone course Friday afternoon. Senior Drew Ford (Wasilla, Alaska) achieved GWU's third fastest time in the 8K, finishing in 28:44.81.
Fellow seniors Trey Crook (Lexington, N.C.) and Justin Loy (Burrington, N.H.) rounded out the Runnin' Bulldogs' top 5 with times of 29:12.79 and 29:16.88, respectively.
Gardner-Webb shifts its attention to 2013 Big South Championships, to be held Saturday, November 2 in Lexington, Va. The women's 5K race is set to begin at 10:00 a.m. with the men's 8K race following at 11:00 a.m.
| Men's 8K Results |
| Women's 5K |
