Panther teams compete at Georgia State Invitational
Sept. 15, 2007

The Panther cross country teams competed in the Georgia State University Invitational on Saturday. The meet was held at the host's home course at the Panthersville sports complex.  The meet, attended yearly by the Panthers, featured a total of twenty schools, including four from NCAA Division I, who were scored separately.  The Panther teams met some of its toughest competition of the season facing Division II Clayton State University as well as Emory University and Berry College, both Division III schools with Top 10 finishes at the national level. 

The Panther women continue to fare well against GSAC competition finishing third of the five GSAC schools represented at the meet.  The team was led by Laura Dresdow who finished the 5K course with a season-best 24.26.  Following Dresdow was first-year runner Amanda Olsen, who finished with a time of 26.03, dropping more than four minutes from her previous 5K best.  Lisa Heath and Jess Barba finished with times of 26.13 and 26.58 respectively.  Sophomore Amara Hickson also had a season-best time on the course, finishing with 29.19. 

The Panther men brought a full team to their first meet of the season, adding freshman Brian Farr, who had an impressive first race, finishing with a time of 45.06 on the 8K course.  The Panthers were led by sophomore Bill Simons who finished with a career-best 33.15.  William Jordan followed Simons with a time of 33.29, a season best for the junior.  Seniors Grant Kendall and Vince Thompson finished the course nearly in stride with 36.04 and 36.06 respectively. 

The Panthers will compete at the Oglethorpe Invitational on Saturday Sept. 22 at the host's campus in Atlanta.