CLINTON, Miss. – The Valdosta State men's and women's cross country team competed in the Gulf South Conference XC Championship on Saturday morning, as the women placed ninth while the men finished 11^th. True freshman Nick Waddell set a record for the fastest time by a freshman in VSU history, as the Lynn Haven, Fla. native completed the 8k in 26:02.2.
 
It was Lee who continued their dominance in both the men's and women's field, as the men won their ninth straight GSC title while the women won their eighth in a row. Alabama Huntsville and Mississippi College finished in second and third, respectively.
 
Waddell was the top finisher for the men, as the true freshman finished 40^th overall in the very competitive field. Junior Parker Jackson was the next finisher for VSU, as the Valdosta native placed 65^th with a time of 27:12. Sophomore Caleb Tilford and graduate student Elijah Pace finished 73^rd and 74^th, as the duo paced each other most of the way. Tilford set a new PR, as he crossed the finish line in 27:37.3.
 
For the women, Katie LaCroix was the first finisher for the red and black, as the senior completed the 6k in 24:04.3 for 27^th place. Fellow senior Caitlyn Koske wasn't too far behind, as she placed 34^th while clocking a time of 24:24.1. Junior Anna Brown set a new PR with a time of 24:53.8 as she finished 46^th.
 

"The outcome of every event does not turn out according to plan. A number of PR's were set today that are significant, including Anna Brown, Caleb Tilford and new Freshman Record Nic Waddell. The teams will regroup and offer their best at the NCAA Regional XC Championships in two weeks." - Head Coach Todd Smoot

 
Up next, the Blazers will travel to John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Ala. on Saturday, Nov. 9 to run in the NCAA DII South Region XC Championship.