VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State men's and women's cross country team travel to Huntsville, Ala. this Saturday to compete in the Gulf South Conference Championship, hosted by Alabama-Huntsville.
 
Last time out, the Valdosta State men placed fourth overall and second among Division II schools at the Blazer Classic on Oct. 16. Led by junior Brishen House who set the school record for the fastest 8K time with a 25:24.9 finish, the Blazers look to continue upon their team average which has been getting faster each race this year. In their first race of the season (Sept. 19), the Blazer's finished with an average time of 27:42.74. They went on to run 42 seconds faster during the Florida State Invitational (Oct. 2) with an average time of 27:00.5 and finally averaged 26:37 during their last race, which was the fastest team average since 1982.
 
"Our goal is to finish in the top five," Valdosta State cross country head coach Todd Smoot said. "That goal will require continued progression from where they are. It will require a team average better than what we've earned this year and the team's ready to do that. All ten members are ready to run at a level that will be fun to watch."
 
The women have also progressed throughout the season on their team average. The team finished with an average time of 21:01.02 during their first race of the season and then ran 30 seconds faster during their next 5K race with a time of 20:31.1. For those two races, senior Angie Cipriani placed second and first among Division II runners, while setting a new personal best time of 18:19.7. Junior Samantha Murray has set personal bests during each race she has competed in this year, with her most recent at the 6K Blazer Classic where she beat out her old time by two minutes.
 
"The women are ready to run to levels that will be fun to watch," Smoot said. "Their workouts have been spectacular in the last month and they will have to earn every second and every point to reach their goal and they are ready to do that."
 
Live stats as well as a live broadcast will be available during the race at vstateblazers.com. Visit vstateblazers.com for information on both cross country teams and all of VSU's 12 intercollegiate athletic programs.