NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Valdosta State cross country team wrapped up the 2026 Gulf South Conference Championships with the men's team finishing ninth and the women's team 10th. The men's team finished one spot better than their preseason projection and the women's team matched their preseason GSC poll selection.

The men's team was expected to finish 10th in the conference at the championship meet and ended up in 9th. Freshman, Liam LeBrocq, took a turn to lead the Blazers in the 8K, finishing 53rd with a time of 26:20.3.

Nick Waddell was the second Blazer to come through, 61st overall, running 26:49.4. Jake Wilkerson was 63rd with a time of 26:57.8.

Parker Henderson added another top 70 finish with a 69th place finish of 27:13.8. Graham Harrod and Caleb Tilford were just a few seconds apart in 72nd and 73rd respectively. Harrod was 27:27.0, Tilford 27:28.8. Mason Brown was 75th, running a new personal best of 27:38.4.

Hunter Shuler came in 79th (28:13.8), Toshiya Bass 80th (28:52.9) and Nate Spivey 85th (29:47.1).

On the women's side, the Blazers finished 10th, same as in the conference preseason poll. Junior Emma Burnett led the Blazers in the 6K, finishing 39th with a time of 23:16.7, a new personal best. She led the team and finished in the top 40 in the conference. 

Junior Ella Burnett was closely behind in 49th place, running a personal best of 23:53.4.

Samantha Savinon-Rios was third across the line, 72nd overall with a time of 25:25.9. Freshman, Carly Storie, was fourth, finishing 81st overall with a new personal best of 27:28.6. Alyssa Youmans came in 86th overall, running a season best of 28:01.6. Ellie Cardozo rounded out the Blazers in 90th with a time of 28:56.3.

With the conference championship meet now over, Valdosta State will turn its attention to the NCAA Division II South Region Championships on Nov. 21.

Men's Results:
53rd - Liam LeBrocq - 26:20.3
61st - Nick Waddell - 26:49.4
63rd - Jake Wilkerson - 26:57.8
69th - Parker Henderson - 27:13.8
72nd - Graham Harrod - 27:27.0
73rd - Caleb Tilford - 27:28.8
75th - Mason Brown - 27:38.4
79th - Hunter Shuler - 28:13.8
80th - Toshiya Bass - 28:52.9
85th - Nate Spivey - 29:47.1

Women's Results:
39th - Emma Burnett - 23:16.7
49th - Ella Burnett - 23:53.4
72nd - Samantha Savinon-Rios - 25:25.9
81st - Carly Storie - 27:28.6
86th - Alyssa Youmans - 28:01.6
90th - Ellie Cardozo - 28:56.3

Complete Results

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