A beautiful crisp fall afternoon met the GMC Junior College Cross Country teams at the Children's Industrial Home on 18 October for the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association Cross Country Championships.  After weeks of unseasonably hot weather, temperatures in the mid to low 70s were a welcome relief.  The Running Bulldogs were ready for what would be for many of them, their last college race.  GMC was joined by South Georgia State University, Oxford College of Emory University and the host of the race Central Georgia Technical College.

The men ran first on what was the inaugural race on a new course for the conference championship.  The men had to climb a substantial hill, which measured almost 300 meters long, 7 times over the course of the race.  GMC was once again led by Freshman Frank Davis (Hackettstown, NJ).  He was followed closely by Aiden Kirchner (Naples, FL) and Zach St. Laurent (Cape Coral, FL).  Sophomore team captain Alvaro Garcia (Bronx, NY) came in 4^th for the team.  Overall the team came in 2^nd place for the race and finished as runners-up for both the conference and NJCAA Region 17.  Reflecting back on the season, Coach Rob Sherwood said "I am really proud of the men on this team.  Despite the challenges that faced them during the season, they responded well.  The runner-up position is one that they should be proud of.  I am excited for the returning runners for next season."

The women ran next, hoping to capture the conference championship, and have some more runners join those who had already qualified for the NJCAA Division III National Championships to be held in Westfield, MA on 4 November.  The women also ran on a new 5k course that featured 4 climbs up the same hill the men had done.  As has been typical all season, Jhakira Glover (Bradenton, FL) led the way for the Lady Running Bulldogs.  She was followed by Destinee Hernadez (Merrit Island, FL), Hayley Valentine (Platte City, MO) and Kaitlyn Karkota (Cape Coral, FL).  These top 4 runners had all individually qualified for the National Championships.  The cool weather, and peaking at the right time allowed Jessica Hurtado (Grovetown, GA), Nekebeh Smith (Milledgeville, GA) and Diana Vera (Naples, FL) to all run fast enough qualify for the NJCAA National Championships.  This is the first time in the history of the GMC Women's Cross Country Program that an entire team of 7 runners have qualified for the National Championships.  The Lady Running Bulldogs ran very well, but could not overcome a very strong Oxford College team and the team came in 2^nd place for the race and finished as runners-up for both the conference and NJCAA Region 17. 

Speaking of the women's team, Coach Rob Sherwood said, "I am so excited to take this women's team to the National Championships.  I feel that a top 10 placing in within reach, and if they can handle the excitement and pressure, a top 5 is not out of the realm.   They have worked so hard this year, and are seeing the fruits of their labors."