AU men’s cross-country wins PBC Preview; Taylor finishes fourth for women
By Chris Rickerson | Sports editor
Juniors Kai Brickey and Hans Troyer led the Augusta University men’s cross-country team to another first place finish on Saturday, October 2, at the Alexander Asics Invitational-Peach Belt Preview in Fairburn.
“Between Hans and I, we thought we executed the race plan we had in store quite well,” said Brickey. “It was a fun race, and as a whole we had a great time competing toward the front.”
Brickey finished in second place in the 8K event with time of 25 minutes and 15.85 seconds, right behind Florida State’s Zachary Cloud, who finished with a time of 25:09.23. Troyer finished just behind his teammate Brickey in third place in 25:27.26.
The Jaguars men’s team beat a couple of NCAA Division I schools, with Georgia Tech finishing in second.
“We did well and know what we need to work on,” said AU cross-country coach Adam Ward. “We have a couple of mistakes that are fixable, and if we can iron those things out, we are in good shape. The big thing is we won and that was our focus going in.”
Senior Chandler Kennedy finished 21st with a time of 26:06:03, followed by his brother, senior Chase Kennedy, who finished in 22nd (26:06.07). Freshman Patrick Motes finished 27th (26:13:23) and sophomore Carlos Rodriguez 31st (26:15.12). Avery Jaynes 43rd (26:22.08), Thomas Rischar 45th (26:27:28) and Andrew Todd 47th (26:29.87). Jaynes, Rischar and Todd are all freshmen.
“We are excited to have the Kennedy twins back, Chase and Chandler,” said Brickey. “We are very happy to have that senior talent back and can’t wait to see what they can do fully healthy.”
AU women’s cross country finished ninth in there 5K run with junior Mackenzie Taylor leading the pack individually in fourth place. Taylor led all Division II women runners with a time of 18:06.73.
“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. The women's team did well. We are learning our strengths and weaknesses, and we will be ready for conference.”
For the rest of the women’s team, graduate transfer Hannah Beach (20th, 19:00.34), freshman Haley Gilbert (55th, 19:39.98) and freshman Caroline Pierce (96th, 20:09.86) were the top runners for AU.
Samford won the women’s race, with AU conference rival Flagler finishing fourth.
“Given everything that happened during the race, I will take the ninth-place finish and run with it,” said Ward. “There were some errors that can be fixed and, and we can fix those thing. We will come out much better at conference.”
The Jaguar cross-country teams will return to Fairburn for the Peach Belt Conference Championships in just a couple of weeks on Saturday, Oct. 23.
“The women have to not be so timid in the beginning,” said Ward. “We need to match the other team’s intensity from the gun and keep our foot on the pedal the rest of the way. If we can do that and not make any excuses, we can pull off something special.”
As for the men, Brickey says he wants to make history and dominate the race.
“All of us will have to step up if we want to make history and become the first team in the PBC to perfect score conference,” said Brickey. “We’re not here to win, we’re here to dominate.”
The men’s team may have some pressure on them as they will be trying to win their third straight Peach Belt Conference title.
“I don’t feel too much pressure for conference,” said Rodriguez. “As long as we execute and perform how we’re capable of, I think we’ll be bringing home another championship.”
Contact Chris Rickerson at crickerson@augusta.edu.
Kai Brickey led Augusta to victory at the Alexander Asics-Peach Belt Preview; Brickey finished second behind Florida State’s Zachary Cloud. At the top of the page, Mackenzie Taylor shows her form in the women’s race. (photos by David Troyer, special to the Bell Ringer)
