Lady Senators take top spot in Region VII Cross Country meet, men finish second

Maryville, Tenn. — It was a banner day at the Maryville Cross Country course for the Walters State women's cross country team. The Lady Senators claimed the top four finishes in the Region VII Cross Country meet Friday as they led their team to victory in the 5K with a combined score of 15.

On the men's side, the  Cleveland State hoisted the championship trophy with a combined score of 16 in the 8K. The Senators finished second with a 47.

Freshman Aaliyah Mattison (Morristown, Tenn.) ran the top time for the Lady Senators, posting a 21:59.0 to win the meet's individual woman's title. Freshman Dakota McKinney (Morristown, Tenn.) was second with a time of 22:49.0, sophomore Karli Yarid (Morristown, Tenn.) third with 24:16.0 and freshman Lindsey Seagle (Jefferson City, Tenn.) rounded out the Top 4 with a time of 24:45.0.

Freshman Breanna Scearce (Washburn, Tenn.) finished ninth with a time of 31:26.0 and freshman Daniela Medina (Morristown, Tenn.) took 10th with 33:34.0.

For the men, Cleveland State's Derek Gallardo was the top finisher with a time of 26:59.0. Walters State's Chance Collins (Seymour, Tenn.) was fifth with 29:00.0. Freshman Christopher Gaby (Morristown, Tenn.) claimed ninth with a time of 30:06.0, freshman Kevin Perez-Padilla (Newport, Tenn.) 10th with 39:47.0, freshman Kenneth Manning (Clinton, Tenn.) 11th with 31:51.0, sophomore Andy Villagran (Sevierville,Tenn.) 12th with 31:55.0, freshman Austin Coffman (Washburn, Tenn.) 13th with 33:17.0, freshman Nicholas Noble (Morristown, Tenn.) 14th with 33:10.0 and Juan Villanueva was 15th with a time of 36:48.0.

The Lady Senators will next compete in the NJCAA Division I Women's Cross Country Championship at the University of New Mexico Golf Course in Albuquerque, N.M. on Nov. 9. Chance Collins will represent the men's team as an individual runner at the meet.