TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Valdosta State cross country team is set to compete on Friday morning at the Florida XC Invitational, hosted at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Florida. The event will begin with the men’s 8K race at 7:40 a.m., followed by the women’s 6K at 8:20 a.m. The Blazers are aiming to build on a series of strong recent performances as they face what is described as "another tough field" of competitors.
This upcoming meet follows a strong showing by both Valdosta State teams at the Twilight at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Alabama, where both the men’s and women’s squads achieved top-three finishes in their respective categories. The VSU men’s team secured an impressive second place overall in the team standings, maintaining an excellent start to their season.
Key individual performances at the Huntsville meet contributed significantly to the men's team's success. Nick Waddell led the Blazers, securing a third-place finish individually. Additional runners who placed within the top 15 included Jake Wilkerson, Liam LeBrocq, Caleb Tilford, and Parker Henderson. Liam LeBrocq's strong performance was further recognized with his first GSC Freshman of the Week award; he finished the 8K race in 14th place overall with a time of 26:20.0.
As a direct result of their performance at the Twilight at John Hunt Park, the VSU men’s team has now entered the USTFCCCA South Region rankings, securing the ninth position. This marks a significant achievement for the program, as it is the first time the Blazers men's cross country team has been included in these regional rankings since 2023.
The Valdosta State women’s team also delivered a notable performance at the Huntsville event, earning third place in the team standings. Samantha Savinon-Rios led the women’s team, achieving a seventh-place individual finish. Ella Burnett and Emma Burnett were also highlighted for their strong performances for the Blazers during the competition.
Looking ahead to the Florida XC Invitational, the Valdosta State cross country teams hope to continue their strong start to the season. The competition at Apalachee Regional Park is expected to challenge both the men’s and women’s squads as they strive to maintain their competitive momentum and build on their recent successes.