Brickey, Taylor win their third PBC Runner of the Week awards of the season

By Chris Rickerson | Sports editor

Augusta University cross-country runners Kai Brickey and Mackenzie Taylor were named the Peach Belt Conference Runners of the Week for the third time this season after their performance at the Alexander Asics Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 2.

Brickey, junior runner for the men’s team, finished second in the 8-kilometer event in Fairburn behind Florida State’s Zachary Cloud. Brickey led the Jaguars to another team win, finishing with a time of 25:15.85.

“It’s great assurance and let’s me know I’m on the right path,” said Brickey. “By being at the top of the conference with my teammates, it helps us focus for what’s beyond at the regional and national levels.”

Taylor, junior runner for the women’s team, continues to dominate with her fourth-place finish in the 5K run. She finished as the top NCAA Division II runner in the race. This marks the sixth time Taylor has won the PBC weekly award at AU.

Taylor finished just behind three Division I runners with a time of 18:06.73. While Taylor did finish well, she said earlier in the week that she was not thrilled with her performance.

“It was a good and challenging course,” said Taylor. “I am not thrilled with my performance, but I can learn from it and improve for the next race.”

Both AU teams will return to this same course on Saturday, Oct. 23, for the Peach Belt Conference Championships.

Contact Chris Rickerson at crickerson@augusta.edu.