NEED TO KNOW 

Date: November 12, 2022 
Location: Newport News, Va. – Lee Hall Mansion 
Event: Men's 8k 

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The Piedmont women's cross country program made history at the NCAA Region meet, finishing 9th overall as a team. The historic finish was highlighted by Senior JAYCIE PONCE, who finished 15th overall individually. 

Turning in a 24:08.0 on an abnormally warm November day, Ponce led the Lions from the front of the pack, earning All-Region honors for her efforts. Her time set the tone for the remainder of Lady Lions to deliever an incredible team performance.

Freshman Skyler Seeber was the second Lady Lion to cross the finish line, turning in a 25.19.1 to finish in 37th. 

"Constantly challenging myself at every meet and trusting that I am capable of persevering through adversities is what made my season turn out the way it did," stated Seeber. She has shaved over 3 minutes off her 6k time since the beginning of the season. "I was nervous for today, but I knew we were prepared because we have run harder courses and were ready for the work to pay off."

Senior LEEANN LAWRENCE and Freshamn Anna Gibson followed behind Seeber, turning in times of 26:03.9 and 26:47.5. Those times would be good enough for 56th and 72nd overall. Lawrence believes the team camaraderi contributed to the teams success this season.

"We made an effort to have a relationship with everyone on the team outside of practice. We could encourage each other in the races but also learn about each other's lives, make a connection, and have fun together, which made us so much better."

Senior IMANI VINCENT rounded out the meet for the Lady Lions with a 28:34.7, finishing in 111th. Head Coach Jamie Jimison was extremely proud of how his team handled adversity this year.

"I was extremely proud of our women's team today and all season. They have faced setbacks after setbacks with injuries and illness, among other things. This group kept battling, overachieving, and proving what hard work could do. They concluded their season with the highest finish in school history at the Region meet, finishing top 10; the bar is set for all the teams in years to come. This team had such an interesting mix of leadership with a combination of seniors and freshmen with very little in between, so I'm excited to see how these young runners step up and start to take these leadership roles that our seniors have so admirably filled this year."

With the cross country season coming to an end, the majority of the team will take the next couple of weeks off before the preperation for the track and field season begins.

COMPLETE WOMEN'S RESULTS

JAYCIE PONCE - 24:08.0
Skyler Seeber - 25:19.1
LEEANN LAWRENCE - 26:03.9
Anna Gibson - 26:47.5
IMANI VINCENT - 28:34.7

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