NEED TO KNOW:
Date: October 29, 2022
Location: Grady, AL – Huntingdon College
Event: Men's 8k
GRADY, Ala. – The Piedmont University men's cross country program put all of the work started in the summer to the test and competed in the Collegiate Conference of the South Championship. With 10 runners finishing top 20 overall, Piedmont came in second place finishing behind Berea College by a nine-point differential.
In a fight for placement rather than time, many Lions came into their own and still found PRs. Sophomore Layton Bradford, who led Piedmont again with a time of 26:50.7, finished in 6th place in the race overall. Senior Darius Smith crossed the line in 7th place in the competition at 27.09.2, displaying a powerful run. Senior Jacob Balot was next to cross for the Lions at 8th place overall, posting a time of 27:23.2. Sophomore Tucker Cox earned himself a 15-second PR with his time of 27.31.8, which rounded out the top 10 runners to finish the race.
"I'm ecstatic to see the progress generated from my hard work and coach's highly specified training. The job isn't done yet; there are still two years to progress toward getting over the hump and winning a conference championship. We did what we were supposed to do and gave it our all, but we won't be complacent," says Cox, who sums up the effort displayed today with an attitude anyone can appreciate.
Senior Cole Elrod was next across the finish line for the Lions and did so while dropping an astounding 25-second career PR, 27:44.7, which is also a 40-second season PR. Needless to say, the team captain rose to the occasion and led when it mattered most. Senior Gary Halverson finished just two seconds behind Elrod, posting a 27:46.5 and outkicked a Berea competitor to score highly needed points. Sophomore Jadon Gonzales finished right behind the group with a 27:55.2, which helped score the last points for the Lions in their push for victory.
Senior Connor Creedon finished eighth for the Lions and 16th overall in the competition, running a time of 28:10.2. Peter Sligh finished behind Creedon with a time of 28:40.8, followed by junior Walker Capelle who rounded out the top 20 overall for Piedmont with his time of 29:05.0, finishing 18th overall. Zane Smith ran strong and crossed the line at 32:01.4, followed by Noah Irwin, the senior who posted a 33:08.0 in his final collegiate cross country race while battling sickness. The impact of Noah Irwin as a teammate and, more importantly, a friend is something every person in the Piedmont cross country and track program appreciates and is thankful for.
Although the CCS Championships didn't result in a first-place finish for the men's cross country team, Coach Jimison is elated and proud because although the team didn't win, they did everything in their power and gave their best effort.
"The biggest thing was fight. They fought all the way to the finish, ensuring Berea had to do everything possible to beat us. Berea was seeded ahead of us and expected to beat us, but we wanted to upset them, and I saw a lot of heart, from top to bottom, in the race and the leadup to it. This team showed that everyone else would be there to pick someone up when they were down. It shows a lot of character from this group of men to continue to fight through adversity and that they are always up for the challenge," Coach Jimison shared.
The Lions will compete in their last meet of the cross country season on November 12 in the NCAA Southeast Regional meet in Newport News, Virginia. Nine total runners plan to travel for the team, with seven scheduled to compete on a fast course that will serve as one last chance to PR this season. This team has ground through every obstacle thrown in the way, and together a product has been created that can't be replicated. Everyone involved in the process has played a genuinely instrumental role in the success and comradery that this team has experienced this season.
Complete Men's Results
*indicates Personal Record
Layton Bradford – 26:50.7*
Darius Smith – 27:09.2
Jacob Balot – 27:32.2
Tucker Cox – 27:31.8*
Cole Elrod – 27:44.7*
Gary Halverson – 27:46.5
Jadon Gonzales – 27:55.2
Connor Creedon – 28:10.2
Peter Sligh – 28:40.8
Walker Capelle – 29:05.0
Zane Smith – 32:01.4
Noah Irwin – 33.08.0
HOW TO FOLLOW:
- To stay up to date on all information regarding Piedmont University Athletics, be sure to visit PiedmontLions.com and connect with the Green and Gold on social media. Follow the Lions on Twitter: @PiedmontLions, Instagram: @PiedmontLions, and Facebook. To follow each Piedmont athletic program on social media, use the Social Media Directory at PiedmontLions.com or click here.
