The GMC Junior College Cross Country team started their season today at the Border Clash Cross County Meet hosted by Valdosta State University.  Run at the beautiful Freedom Park, just outside of Valdosta, the Running Bulldogs saw how they stack up against some of the better NCAA Division II schools in Georgia and Florida. 

The women race, which covered 5k, was run under a partially cloudy sky and a nice breeze.  The course was mostly in the shade and allowed the ladies to really push themselves.  The women's team was led by Jhakira Glover who finished with a time of 22:52. She was followed close behind by Kaitlyn Karkota who ran the course in 23:12 minutes.  Both of these freshmen qualified for the NJCAA National Championships in Westfield, MA on 4 November.  Destinee Hernandez (Merrit Island, FL) finished 3^rd for the team followed closely by Haley Valentine (Platte, MO).  Hernandez and Valentine were within 15 seconds of qualifying for the National Championships.  Jessica Hurtado (Grovetown, GA) finished up the scoring runners for the Lady Bulldogs who finished in 8^th place.

Speaking of the team, Coach Rob Sherwood was excited.  "This is my third year coaching this team and this is the best we have ever done in the opening meet of the season.  I am pleased with the work the kids put in over the summer."  He continued, "The women's team has a great chance to qualify an entire team for the National Championships.  That would be a first for GMC.  This should be a fun season!"

The GMC Bulldogs next run on 8 September at the camps of Middle Georgia State University in Macon, GA.  Races start at 8am.