Release Link: https://usasouth.net/sports/wxc/2019-20/releases/20191025e7g56g

Photo Gallery:  https://clewisncwc.smugmug.com/11-2-19-NCWC-Cross-Country/

ROCKY MOUNT, NC - The 2019 USA South Women's Cross Country Championship took place on Saturday, November 2 on the campus of N.C. Wesleyan College's brand-new walking trail in Rocky Mount for the first time. Berea captured the USA South championship for the third year in a row. The Mountaineers topped second place Covenant College by 45 points. Individually, Berea's Jamie Welch won the meet as she finished the 6,000-meter course first in a time of 23:02.

Wesleyan placed 9th out of 17 teams in the 6K and was led by freshman Cedara Franklin as she finished in 24th place to make the all-conference honorable mention team. She ran a time of 26:11 to break her own school record while sportsmanship honoree, freshman Teanna Bellamy ran a 28:04 to place 49th overall and 2nd on the Bishops and improve on her personal best time.

Freshman Toni Foster then came next in 62nd place with a time of 29:03 to jump into the All-Time top 10 and the all-time top 6 of female runners at NC Wesleyan. She was followed by fellow freshman Sinai Ashe-Lee in 84th with a time of 31:43. Sophomores Michelle Sackey-Ansah and Alyssa Donaldson then virtually tied for 85th with times of 31:47 and 31:48 respectively. Freshman Faith Kemboi also ran a time of 34:44 to place 94th while Lucy Kirwa ran a time of 37:14.

"We finished 9th today and that was the all-time best for NC Wesleyan," commented Coach Marshall Leonard.  "I am proud of that accomplishment, but heartbroken because we could have finished higher if we had not suffered injuries to 2 of our top 3 runners."

"We had a discussion about having the next female step up and perform, and they did just that. I am super proud of all of our ladies. They are great student-athletes that are fun to be around."

2019 USA South Women's Cross Country Team Results: