CARROLLTON, Ga. - Oh, what a difference a couple of weeks make. The Dalton State women's cross country team traveled to the University of West Georgia to run in the Coach Gary Wilson Invitational. They were the lone NAIA full team in attendance in the 10-team race that took place on the coolest Saturday morning of the season. It was nice to experience pleasant weather since the course was going to have no mercy. The course at West Georgia has absolutely no flat stretches and contains some pretty steep inclines, including a brutal climb just 100 meters from the finish line. Despite the course, the Lady Birds had their fastest race of the season as they finished in second place behind perennial powerhouse University of North Georgia.
 
RECAP
Leading the way, once again, for the Roadrunners was senior Kathryn Vradenburgh who took first place overall and set a new course record in the process finishing in 18:42. It was 36 seconds faster than she had run last year when she won the same race. She finished 18 seconds in front of second place who happened to be her teammate, junior Riley Jo Ford (19:00).
 
The next Roadrunner to finish was sophomore Giselle Dominguez who finished in 19:45, which was good for 7^th place overall. Finishing 4^th for the Lady Birds was senior Haley Tillery who came home 15^th in 21:00. Rounding out the scoring top five for the Lady Roadrunners was junior Kayla Mattox who finished in 21:12 and was 18^th overall.
 
The 6^th team finisher was sophomore Ella Coley, who finished 25^th in 21:35. Senior Becca Poe was close behind her in 30^th (21:52). Freshman Marlene Paez finished 32^nd in a time of 22:23.
 
The Lady Roadrunners performance in West Georgia was their fastest race of the year despite it being the toughest course of the year.
 
QUOTES FROM COACH
Comments From Coach Dean Thompson:
"We have been having some pretty good workouts and it was only a matter of time before the ladies were going to be able to express their fitness in a race. It was good to see some happy tears flowing at the end finish line!"
 
"We go to this race because it is tough. Our team embraced the difficulty of the course today, went out hard, and ran really well. I'm so proud of their efforts today. I love watching them when they have the right amount of intensity in their eyes. Today was one of those days."
 
"I'd say every one of our athletes had her best day of the year today, and at least 4 of them may have had their best day ever. As we work toward championship meets it is good see the progress. The best thing is that we're done improving."
 
"Kathryn had a spectacular race. To run 18:42 on this course is unbelievable. She went out hard (as did most of the team), and just kept pulling away from the field. She had a big breakthrough during this past track season. I think she may have had the same breakthrough in cross country today. I think she is among the best the NAIA has to offer."
 
"Riley Jo has had three very solid races this year, but each one is better than the last. I've never seen her more focused and determined than I did today. It was the best race of her Dalton State career. She was just relentless today. So awesome to watch!"
 
"I've been waiting for Giselle to have the race she had today. She has been close several times, but today she put it all together. She was over a minute faster than she was at this race last year, which is incredible. She makes our top 3 pretty formidable."
 
"Haley is getting better every week, and this was her best race of the year so far. She has a lot of pressure on her to get back to where she has been in the past, but she is working to get back there. Today was a huge step in the right direction!"
 
"Kayla ran her best cross country race ever today. She has run faster, but it was on much faster courses. She has had some good workouts and I knew if the right Kayla showed up, it could be on. She did, and it was inspirational to watch. I'm so proud of her effort today. Like Haley, she still has a ways to go to be where we need her to accomplish what we want, but she is working hard to make it happen."  
 
"Ella charged through the field in the second half of the race. She was the lone Roadrunner who did not go out really hard. It allowed her to use her skill on the hills to finish her second half by passing many athletes along the way."
 
"Becca has had tough time lately, but she came to battle today. She had a birthday today, so she is now officially the oldest member of the team. She is the heart of our team. She is such a great peacemaker and the embodiment of what a good Christian lady should be. She makes the team better whether she is in the top 5 or not."
 
"I don't know that anyone on this team works harder than Marlene. She comes out every day and puts in her best effort consistently. Today wasn't here fastest race, but it was definitely one her best races. I love coaching athletes who work hard and are coachable. Nobody does that any better than Marlene."
 
"Overall, I feel so much better about where we are as a team. This was, by far, our fastest day at this race despite the fact that we lost 3 of our top 6 runners from last year's team. Our top three athletes are doing very well. We need someone to really step up from the rest of the team to fill in those 4 and 5 spots. Haley and Kayla stepped up today."
 
"I was really proud of this team today. This was only the second race in two years where the team surprised me with the times they ran. I like those kind of surprises. The character on this team is amazing. There is a reason why their grades are always among the best of all sports teams in the conference. They work hard in the classroom, and they work hard on the course. As a coach, that is all I can ask for. I couldn't be prouder!"
 
UP NEXT
The Lady Roadrunners will be in Charlotte, North Carolina in two weeks to take on a stacked field in the Royals Cross County Challenge at McAlpine Creek Park on Friday, October 7.

FIND NEWS AND FOLLOW THE BIRDS: News and updates from Dalton State's women's cross country and track & field team is posted on dsroadrunners.com and on Twitter (@DStateXCTrack), Facebook (@DStateXCTrack) and Instagram (DStateXCTF). Be sure to follow to keep pace with the Lady Birds!

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