ARNOLD, MD – The Anne Arundel Community College men's and women's cross country teams are headed to the 2021 NJCAA DIII Cross Country Championships this weekend at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, Georgia.
The men's team, which moved up to 10th in the USTFCCCA National Poll last week, enters the national championships coming off of the program's first Region 20 title. All five scoring runners finished in the top 10 at the Region meet, led by a second-place finish from Paul Watson, Jr. Watson was consistently the team's top finisher, averaging a sub-six minute mile throughout the season.
"I can't name one standout on this team because everyone worked equally hard, pushed each other and ultimately contributed in their own unique ways to build and improve this years' squad," said Head Coach Keith Bigelow. "We expect the competition to intensify at nationals, but at the same time we know there will be teams there that we can run with and beat. We have improved throughout the season and we look forward to carrying that forward to Georgia this weekend."
The women's team, ranked seventh nationally by the USTFCCCA enters the championships as the Maryland JUCO champions, led by top individual finisher Madison Palmer.
Palmer finished first in three races this season, and posted a PR at the Towson Alumni Invitational on September 25th. She was named the NJCAA DIII Cross Country Runner of the Week on September 28, and the NJCAA Region 20 Runner of the Month for September, announced October 19th. At the Region 20/MDJUCO Championship on October 30, she was the race's top individual finisher across all divisions.
"As we head to Georgia, I expect Madison [Palmer] to lead the team with Jasmine Jones right on her heels. The Broadneck grads and training partners have finished 1-2 all season, pushing each other," said Head Coach Susan Noble.
"Our team is rested and ready to finish this season on a high note. Coming off our success at regionals, we kept our training precise with some fun thrown in. Regardless of the outcome, I am proud of this team. They came together in August as strangers but quickly bonded through consistent practice, road trips and downtime spent together. The camaraderie is evident by the success they have found this season," she added.
The women's race begins at 10 am Saturday, November 13, with the men's race to follow at 11 am.