ATLANTA, GA--USC Aiken’s cross country team finished ninth at the Peach Belt Conference Championships for the third consecutive year. Ashley Reedy broke her own school record by eight seconds, finishing in a time of 20:45. Five of the six Lady Pacer runners posted their best times of the season. North Florida won the event, held today in Atlanta, Ga.

Reedy (Jefferson, Md.) placed 29th. Kristyn Holley (Belvedere, S.C.) crossed the line with a time of 21:17, good enough for the 36th spot. The freshman beat her previous career best by 20 seconds.

Veronica Derico (Aiken, S.C.) turned in her best time of the season as well. The junior finished 39th, in a time of 21:45. Jen Mascarin (Komoka, Ontario) placed 57th in a time of 23:51.

Running for just the second time this season, Haylee Reichert (Elm Creek, Neb.) beat her previous best by 1:43. The senior finished 61st in a time of 24:46. Ashley Northington (Aiken, S.C.) also turned in the best time of her career. The junior ran 26 seconds faster than ever before, placing 64th with a time of 25:15.

The Lady Pacers accumulated 222 points, just one point behind eighth place Francis Marion University’s total of 221 and 12 points behind seventh place USC Spartanburg.

The 24 points registered by North Florida established a new Peach Belt record for fewest points in a championship meet. Kennesaw State had held the previous record, registering 26 points in championships from 1996-98. Romy Krueger led a soaring brigade of Lady Ospreys that placed all five runners in the top ten to claim their second-ever championship.

Also, for the first time in the 13-year history of the PBC two coaches shared the Coach of the Year Award. Lander’s Bob Stoner, who guided the Bearcats to their highest finish since 1996, and North Florida’s Mark Van Alstyne were named co-Coaches of the Year.

The 2003 Peach Belt Conference Championships conclude the season for head coach Dana Richter’s Lady Pacers. With the improvements made by this year’s young team, 2004 could be the best season ever for USC Aiken Cross Country.

Peach Belt Conference Championships
Team Standings
1. North Florida..........................24
2. Kennesaw State...................45
3. Clayton State.........................73
4. Lander.................................151
5. Georgia College & State......159
6. Columbus State...................161
7. USC Spartanburg................210
8. Francis Marion....................221
9. USC Aiken........................222
10. UNC Pembroke.................258
11. Augusta State..................295

USC Aiken Individual Results
29. Ashley Reedy...............20:45
36. Kristyn Holley................21:17
39. Veronica Derico............21:45
57. Jen Mascarin................23:51
61. Haylee Reichert............24:46
64. Ashley Northington......25:15

Overall Top Individual Performer
Romy Krueger (North Florida)........17:25

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