糖心视频

糖心视频 Cross Country Sweeps ACCC Championships at John Hunt Park

HUNTSVILLE, AL 鈥� The 糖心视频 men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 cross-country teams left no doubt at the ACCC Conference/Region 22 Championships on Friday at John Hunt Park, sweeping both team titles in dominating fashion.

The men鈥檚 team turned in a perfect score of 15 points, claiming the top five spots in the 8K race. Sophomore Daniel Leija led the charge with a winning time of 26:02.20, followed closely by Connor McCrary (26:20.35), Elliot Denard (26:22.08), Harper Branscome (26:32.03), and Carson Masterson (26:33.73). Jack Wiggins added a 10th-place finish in 27:18.68, giving the Lions six All-Conference selections.

鈥淚 think with Tyler being out, we challenged them to step up, each one of them, and that鈥檚 what they did,鈥� Coach Tony Crider said. 鈥淭hey wanted a perfect score as much as I did. It鈥檚 a testament to the hard work they鈥檝e done all year long. I think they were running for Tyler as much as themselves today.鈥�

Crider credited Leija鈥檚 journey as especially inspiring. 鈥淒aniel, from the time he had his accident three years ago, has battled back stronger than ever. He came in last year, still working his way back, but this year he鈥檚 been right there with Tyler, pushing him every race. They鈥檙e great competitors and great friends. To see him win today was very special.鈥�

Despite being sidelined with a minor injury, Tyler Anthony was honored as the ACCC Male Runner of the Year after a stellar season highlighted by a school-record 8K performance. Head coach Tony Crider was named Coach of the Year for both the men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 squads.

Anthony echoed that sentiment when discussing his own honor: 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great honor. I鈥檓 very blessed to be able to run and compete. I鈥檓 super grateful for all those who voted for me.鈥�

For Crider, being recognized as Coach of the Year again was humbling. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor, but really a testament to the work these kids and my assistants, Mandy Leonardi and Cole Akridge, put in every day. I may get the award, but it鈥檚 mostly because of them. This is my happy place, and anytime you鈥檙e happy, you can be successful.鈥�

The men鈥檚 team outdistanced second-place Shelton State (72 points) and Calhoun (97 points).

On the women鈥檚 side, freshman sensation Brookelyn Morgan captured the individual crown with a time of 19:06.58, continuing her stellar debut season. Morgan was named the ACCC Female Runner of the Year.

She was joined in the top five by Grace Gosline (3rd, 19:44.81) and Cadence Rivera (4th, 19:55.80). Hanna Sheffield (7th, 20:02.66) and Payton Ridley (8th, 20:08.94) rounded out a pack that placed five Lions in the top eight. All five earned All-Conference recognition. Rachel Matthews added a strong 14th-place finish in 20:38.35, just shy of All-Conference honors.

鈥淲e had a goal of perfect scoring, but I knew that was a stretch on the women鈥檚 side,鈥� Crider said. 鈥淪till, I thought the girls really did a good job competing. Some of them didn鈥檛 have their PR day, but as a group, they were outstanding.鈥�

Crider was quick to praise Morgan鈥檚 character in addition to her athletic ability. 鈥淏rookelyn鈥檚 an amazing young lady. As talented as she is, she鈥檚 an even better person鈥攈umble, hardworking, a great teammate. She鈥檚 going to make a Division I program very lucky someday.鈥�

Morgan reflected on her season and her award: 鈥淪tarting off, it was just about getting back into it, but the team and I have been training hard all year. We push each other every day. It鈥檚 an honor to be named Runner of the Year, but I couldn鈥檛 do it without my teammates.鈥�

The women鈥檚 team, 21 points, outdistanced second-place Northeast Alabama (70 points) and third-place Calhoun (70 points).

What鈥檚 Next
Both teams advance to the NJCAA Division II Cross Country National Championships on November 8 at Lakeside Municipal Golf Course in Fort Dodge, Iowa.