VALDOSTA, Ga. – Championship season has arrived for the Valdosta State cross country teams as they head into the 2025 Gulf South Conference Championship scheduled for Saturday, October 25, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn., hosted by Christian Brothers University. The Blazer cross country teams will be looking to make their mark against some of the top programs in the South Region. The Championship begins with the women's starting at 9:00 a.m. E.T. and the men's following at 9:45 a.m. E.T.
The GSC Championship will be Shelby Farms Park, will feature every member institution in the conference, setting up a deep and competitive field. With months of training, travel, and racing behind them, head coach Todd Smoot and the Blazers have their sights set on running their best races of the season when it matters most.
On the men's side, Valdosta State will look to strong performance from sophomore Nick Waddell, who set the freshman record last year at the GSC Championship with the fastest freshman time in VSU history by running a time of 26:02.2. Waddell has consistently led the pack through the regular season. The Blazers' depth has been a strength all year, with several athletes capable of stepping up when it counts.
The women's team has shown steady improvement throughout the fall, led by freshman Samantha Savinon-Rios, who has set the tone with strong finishes and leadership. The group has been closing the gap each meet and will look to carry that momentum into Saturday's race.
After the GSC Championships, the Blazers will look ahead to the NCAA South Regional, continuing their season against the best in the region.
Fans can follow live results and updates through Flosports at https://flosports.link/3U98kz0.
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