Flyer Men Finish 1-2-3 at Region 10 Cross Country Championship
Sandhills Community College runners grabbed the first three places on Saturday morning at the NJCAA Division III Region 10 Men's Cross Country Championship held in Axton, VA.
Samuel Patterson led the trio of Flyer freshmen, finishing first in the 8K run followed by Joshua Patterson and Austin Greene. The meet was hosted by Patrick Henry CC at the Smith River Sports Complex. Four runners from the host team completed the Division III field.
"The conditions were perfect," Samuel Patterson said in the parking lot at the Dempsey Student Center upon the team's return. "I'm very happy with how I ran. Throughout the race I was able to progressively move up in the pack."
The men's race also included runners from NJCAA Divisions I and II of Region 10. Samuel Patterson's time of 30.16 was the fifth best among the overall total of 27 contestants, Joshua Patterson was seventh in 31:05 and Greene was 11th in 31.52.
The Patterson Brothers are Union Pines graduates. Greene is an East Lincoln High School grad.
"I'm super-proud of their effort," Coach Kyndal Giddens said. "That was the strongest I've seen them all season and that was planned."
The Flyers do not have the required five runners to post a team score, but plans are for the three to compete as individuals at the NJCAA Division III National Championship to be held at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, Iowa on November 14.
"We'll be working out the logistics, but it should be a great experience for everyone," Giddens said.
C. Bergmann
