Bryan News

Mount Berry, GA - Berry College played host to 20 teams on Saturday, October 25th when it ran the Southeastern Classic in the Clara Bowl.  Bryan College finished 12th with Hunter Hall (Sophomore, Brentwood, TN) leading the way in 26th place (27:08.18).  The women were led by Ericka Simpson (Freshman, Grayson, GA) when she took 32nd place with a time of 20:45.33 over the five-kilometer course.  Shorter College took the men's team title, while the individual champion was David Mutuse of Lindsey Wilson in a time of 25:22.81.  The women's top team was Montreat College, while Shorter's Justyna Mudy took the individual title in 17:58.16.
Andrew Dorn (Senior, Chattanooga, TN) came in near Hall with a 28th place finish (27:10.56).  Matt Wren (Freshman, Ooltewah, TN) and Colby Smith (Freshman, Dayton, TN) were 75th and 81st with times of 28:38.15 and 28:46.23 respectively.  Kyle Rascher rounded out the scoring for the Lions with a 100th place finish in 29:20.44. 

"Our young team continues to improve and it should be fun for them to line up in two weeks at the conference championship.  Colby had a solid showing for us and is a great competitor.  Matt is struggling with some I.T. band issues, but hopefully it is something we can work on and have him near Dorn and Hall.  If we can get Guillermo Loaiza back for the championships I think we might move up the conference a little from our 5th place ranking at this point," said Coach Rodney Stoker.

For the women, Bailey Payne (Junior, Pikeville, TN) was 56th in 21:34.68.  Rhea Brown, competing for the first time this season, finished 81st in 22:23.62, while Elisa Cruz was 93rd in 23:21.63.

"We held out freshman Alyssia Lindsay, and it will help to have her back for the championship in Elizabethton.  Ericka had a solid day and is finding more confidence late in the season.  I was proud of Rhea with her competitiveness in the first cross country race in her life.  Cruz dropped two minutes from her personal best and it is something I hope she'll improve on again two weeks from now," stated Stoker.

The Lions will travel to Elizabethton, TN to compete in the AAC Championship on November 8th, hosted by Milligan College at Sycamore Shoals State Park.  For more information on the championship please visit 2008 AAC XC Championship.

2008 Southeastern Classic Results (Men)
2008 Southeastern Classic Results (Women)

Bryan College athletes Josh Bradley and Zach Buffington competed unattached at the Southeastern Classic with finishes of 3rd (25:48.24) and 15th (26:38.09). 

"Josh is handling the training loads much better and that bolds well for a great indoor and outdoor track season.  Buffington has a long way to go after missing some crucial training, but his effort and patience will pay off a few months from now," said Stoker.