Blazers Using Track Events to Prepare for 2009

VSU Cross Country active during spring

VALDOSTA, Ga. - The Valdosta State cross country teams have begun preparation for the 2009 fall season by competing in various track meets throughout the Southeast this spring.

The Blazers and Lady Blazers began the season in Smiths Station, Ala. on March 7 where members of the squad competed in the 1500 meter and 3000 meter events. Brandon Joyner paced VSU in the 1500 with a time of 4:27.52 while Steve Cary was three seconds behind at 4:30.92. Alan McGough came home in a time of 4:40.19 while Daniel McCormick finished in a time of 4:55.96.

In the 3000 meter race, Cary paced the Blazers with a time of 9:26.06 while Chris Rice was four seconds back in a time of 9:30.15. Austin McDonald finished in a time of 9:38.41 followed by Joyner with a time of 9:45.17 and Corey Stejback in 9:59.48. On the women's side, Andrea Smith competed and finished in a time of 15:27.79.

The men's team next traveled to Tampa, Fla. to compete in the Tampa Invitational on March 13. Joyner finished fourth in the 800 meter run with a time of 2:02.89 while finishing fifth in the 1500 meters at 4:18.80. Juan Tejada also ran in the 1500M, finishing in a time of 4:39.23.

Cary led the Blazer charge in the 5000M as he ran a time of 16:31.70 while McDonald finished in a time of 16:44.95. Rice and Stejback also competed, finishing with times of 16:58.54 and 17:15.43, respectively.

The men also competed in the Mercer Open Track and Field Distant Classic on March 21. Rice claimed victory in three events on the day as he won the 800M in a time of 1:57.2 while teaming with McDonald, Joyner and Cary to claim victory in the Distance Medley (11:24) and the 4x1600M (19:25.7). Joyner led VSU with a fifth place finish in the mile with a time of 4:49.4 and finished 10th in the 5000M with a time of 18:13. Stejback and McGough also competed in the mile, finishing in times of 4:52.3 and 4:54.5, respectively, while D.J. Smith finished fifth in the 5000M in a time of 16:47. McCormick also competed in the 5000M, finishing 11th in a time of 19:24.

The two squads next travel to Statesboro, Ga. to compete in the Georgia Southern Invitational March 28.

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