The Furman men’s and women’s cross-country teams dominated the Southern Conference throughout the regular season, so it was only fitting that the Paladins continued their success in the SoCon Championships as well. Furman cross-country won their seventh-straight SoCon Championship with victories in both men’s and women’s team titles.
The 15th ranked women’s team claimed seven of the top nine spots with a score of 20 points. Senior Gabbi Jennings, who was named SoCon Women’s Runner of the Week three times throughout the season, took second place in the 5k race. Senior Savannah Carnahan followed with a third-place finish, junior Krissy Gear finished in fourth, senior Emma Grace Hurley finished in fifth, and senior Grace Dwyer finished in sixth. All five runners were named to the All-SoCon first team.
Junior Emily Lane took eight place and junior Emma Kuntz finished in ninth place. Kuntz received the SoCon Pinnacle Award for the highest GPA on the championship team. Senior Riley Burr finished in eleventh place to join the All-SoCon second team with Lane and Kuntz. Freshman Lauren Peterson finished in 15th place and was named to the SoCon All-Freshman team.
The 32nd ranked men’s team claimed four of the top five spots with a score of 21 points. Senior Ryan Adams led the Paladins, winning the men’s individual title in the 8k race. Adams, who was named SoCon Men’s Runner of the Week four times and SoCon Men’s Runner of the Month twice, was named SoCon Men’s Runner of the Year following his victory.
Junior Daniel Bernal finished the 8k race in second place, while sophomore Cameron Ponder finished in fourth place and freshman David Ahlmeyer finished in fifth place. Ahlmeyer earned SoCon Freshman of the Year honors following his fifth-place finish and all four runners were named to the All-SoCon first team.
Freshman Ares Reading finished in ninth place, earning him a spot on the SoCon All-Freshman team, while junior Trenton Mandato finished in eleventh place and received the SoCon Pinnacle award for the men’s championship team. Both runners were named to the All-SoCon second team. Red-shirt freshman Noah Dolhare was also named to the SoCon All-Freshman team after his 23rd place finish.
Following the men’s and women’s SoCon victories, head coach Robert Gary was named Southern Conference head coach of the year. The Paladins look to continue their success as they compete at the Southern Regional Championships on Nov. 15 in Charlottesville, Virginia.