HANCEVILLE, Ala. — Wallace State Community College’s men’s and women’s cross country teams both are ranked No. 7 nationally in the 2023 NJCAA DII preseason polls by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association coaches poll.
The women’s team finished fifth in the nation in 2022 while men’s team finished ninth in the nation. Both teams were the No. 1 teams in the Alabama Community College Conference.
In their first race of the 2023 season at the Foothills Invitational, the men’s team finished in fifth place, with freshman Luke Kennedy and sophomore Jonathan Phillips marking the fastest times for the team, completing the course among the top 30 runners in 23rd and 27th place, respectively. Sophomore Brady Helms (34th), freshman David Robles (39th), sophomore Ryan Maudsley (40th) and freshman Tristan Teer (49th), all finished in the top 50.
The Wallace State women finished at the Foothills Invitational in eighth place. Freshmen Claire Deaton, Ivy Edge and Abigale Vega were the fastest runners for WSCC, all finishing among the top 50 runners, with freshman Rudi Derrick finishing 51st.
For their achievements, Kennedy and Deaton were each recognized by the Alabama Community College Conference as runners of the week.
Both squads will run Friday in the Falcon Invitational at the University of Montevallo. The night races begin at 7:30 p.m. for the women and 8:15 p.m. for the men.
