Cross Country Sprints Out of the Gates Fast

Albany, Ga. - A season defined by high expectations got off to a terrific start as the Wesleyan Cross Country team placed third at the season opening Darton Invitational.

The finish marks the best result in the program's brief five-year history. The meet was won by the host Darton College Cavaliers who won last year's NJCAA Region XVIII title.

Senior Belle Thomas picked up right where she left things last season, running to a fifth-place showing individually. She completed the 5K course in 23:25.

"Today was a milestone moment for our program with this great finish," said head coach Melissa Bush. "The entire team has worked really hard in the preseason to get to this point. I am really proud of our whole team and can't wait to see what the rest of the season has in store for us."

All of Wesleyan's scoring runners placed in the top-20 with four newcomers joining Thomas. Multi-sport athlete Azea Mustafa finished 13th with Miriam Oaks checking in at the 15th position. Kaitlyn Rentz (16th) and Emily Epperson (18th) rounded out the scoring five for the Pioneers.

Wesleyan returns to action in two weeks at the Georgia Southwestern Remembrance Run.

Cross Country Aims for Program Best Campaign

Wesleyan Cross Country is poised for a breakout season in its fifth year as a varsity program. Second-year head coach Melissa Bush added some key newcomers to provide depth that the Pioneers lacked last season. The Darton Invitational will provide the squad its first test on August 28.

Key Returner

Belle Thomas, Senior - Consistently the team's top runner in 2009, Thomas finished second at last year's GSAC Championship.

Team Strengths

• They all have great attitudes
• They are excited about the start of our 2010 season
• They have been working hard over the summer to be ready for the fall
• They all have expressed that they want to do whatever it takes to do their best this season

Areas of Improvement

• Dropping times
• Staying focused on the fact that this is a team sport so your time does not just affect you but it also affects the teams scoring

Worth Quoting
 
"I expect to have a very strong team. I anticipate that all of the teams will be strong which will make for some stiff competition. I think that this years scores will be very close so I am excited to be able to compete with such great teams. I expect a season like no other in Wesleyan's cross country history. We will be working hard and we will show up to every meet ready to compete."
 
-- Wesleyan head coach Melissa Bush on the upcoming season.

Wesleyan College Officially Opens Arboretum and Cross Country Trail

Macon, Ga. - Wesleyan College held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the institution's Arboretum and Cross Country trail.

A crowd of over 30 individuals gathered for the ceremony which capped several months of collaborative work by various constituents on campus and Tatnall Square Academy. The three-quarters of a mile trail will serve as a center for recreation, teaching and research for the community.

The project was brought to life by the work of the Wesleyan department of athletics and the Biology Department.

"It is a real treasure to have this space on our campus," stated Dr. Jim Ferrari, chair of the Biology Department and Arboretum Director. "This will serve as a center for not only recreation by teaching and research by our students."

President Ruth Knox, Dr. Jim Ferrari, Melissa Bush

 and the Cross Country team prepare for the ribbon cutting

A grant from the Community Fund provided enhancements to help make the trail viable.

"When I arrived on campus, I wanted to create a place for our cross country team to train and eventually host meets," said Head Coach Melissa Bush. "This all happened very quickly thanks to the help of folks across our campus and in our community. We are really proud to call the Arboretum and trail our own."

The Wesleyan Cross Country team opens its season on Saturday at the Darton Invitational.

Wesleyan Athletics Establishes Social Media Sites

Wesleyan College athletics introduced a Pioneers presence on both Facebook and Twitter at the start of the new academic year.

Follow the Pioneers on Twitter at Twitter.com/GoWesleyan for the latest news in small tidbits. Become a fan of the Pioneers at Facebook.com by searching GoWesleyan.

Wesleyan's season opens on Saturday as the Cross Country team heads to the Darton Invitational.

Wesleyan Arboretum Trail Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Set for Thursday

Macon, Ga. - The Wesleyan College cross country team will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the opening of its Arboretum Trail on Thursday morning at 11:15. The ceremony will be followed by a tour of the trail that the college worked to develop over the course of the summer.

GSAC Releases New Identity Including Logo & Website

LaGrange, GA – The Great South Athletic Conference is proud to announce its new branding identity spearheaded with a new logo and updated conference website. The new conference website features a new sleek design and features as the conference continues its partnership with SIDEARM Sports of Syracuse. The league’s new logo was created by JL Designs in Holly Springs, NC.

The new logo and color scheme will replace the outdated GSAC oval used for identity purposes since the league’s inception in 2000. The 2010-11 season will celebrate completion of the first decade of the GSAC with the old logo and color scheme serving the conference for the past 10 seasons (2000-2010).

Click here for the full release at GreatSouth.org.