October 2, 2024

Eagles XC takes a trip down south for the Georgia Tech Invitational

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman Cross Country takes a road trip south on Friday, Oct. 4 for the Georgia Tech Invitational meet in Fairburn, Ga. starting at 9:30 a.m.

The race will consist of a Men's 8K race and a Women's 6K.

Formerly known as the ASICS XC Invitational, Georgia Tech will be hosting this year's cross country meet. The Eagles head coach Brent Borden emphasized preparation going into this week.

"Preparation this week has been good," said Borden. "Coming off good performances at the Cherokee Farms meet, we continue to build each week. Now that we're getting into October, we're going to see early season training that we've done pay off, and see some big performances going forward."

Carson-Newman has had standout performances on this course including last season with the women's side grabbing a first place finish and the men's a second place finish.

"It gives people confidence," Borden said. "This is a familiar course for our team, running here four consecutive years. We've had a lot of PR's on this course in the past…I think it'll be the same this time around. We know how to execute and we've done the work to do so."

Last year's Georgia Tech Invitational saw Eagles Colten Lee earn a first place finish in the men's 8K in a time of 24:47.9. as well as a top-30 finish for Garrett Wilson in a time of 27:13.4.

The Women's team finished in first place in last year's 5K meet led by a pair of top-3 finishes from Katie Smock in a time of 18:18.8 and Jenna Pittman in 18:23.1.

After taking time away from the team last season, Senior Autumn Brazzell looks forward to the opportunity to make a statement at the Georgia Tech Invitational.

"It's a 6K this time around, but practice this week he [Brent Borden] has had us focus on the quality of training," said Brazzell. "I would like to PR. I would like for our team to score high and finish the race healthy."

Freshman Andrew Zona began his first collegiate season with a top-25 finish in the LMU Railsplitters Open 6K in a time of 24:37.0 and a top-50 finish in the Cherokee Farms Invitational 8K in 30:19.0. Zona talks about the process of competing at a high level.

"It's definitely different from high school," Zona said. "It's a step that includes a whole new level of training, more mileage, and a full step up in many ways. Coach Borden has been preaching investment in ourselves, each other, and the program. Getting into the later season, this is where results start to show."

Entering October, the Eagles have four meets remaining on the schedule. Coach Brent Borden shares his process for staying focused as the season rolls along.

"We have to invest in what we do every single day," said Borden. "We need to be intentional, because it is easy to go through the motions as you get later on in the year. Every rep in workouts, practice runs, and every race that we have needs to be done with purpose."

Carson-Newman begins the third meet of the season beginning at 9:30 this Friday, Oct. 4 at the Georgia Tech Invitational in Fairburn, Ga.

For all results and and information about Eagles Cross Country, visit cneagles.com