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Spirits Return to Course at Livingstone Invitational

Spirits Return to Course at Livingstone Invitational
Posted: Oct 09, 2019

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – After a two-week break since its last event, the Salem cross country team returns to the course on Friday, Oct. 11 in Salisbury, N.C., to take part in the Livingstone College Invitational.

The Spirits are one of 18 teams registered to take part in the event, including the likes of Bluefield, Chowan, Elizabeth City State, Johnson C. Smith, Newberry, Pfeiffer, Savannah State, Winston-Salem State and the host Bears.

It is the fourth race of the season for Salem, which has also taken part in the Fleet Feet XC Invitational (Sept. 7), USA South Preview (Sept.21) and the Greensboro XC Invitational (Sept.28).

LAST TIME OUT (GREENSBORO XC INVITATIONAL): The Salem cross country team, led by third-place finisher Jessica Bailey, earned the team title among the NCAA Division III participants competing at the 36th annual Greensboro XC Invitational held at Hagan-Stone Park on Saturday, Sept. 28.

The Spirits, one of two complete teams taking part in the event along with Averett, brought home top honors by finishing with a combined time of 2:24:00.45 (29:48.09 avg.). Averett was just over two minutes off the pace with a combined time of 2:26:52.16.

Senior Jessica Bailey led the way for Salem, finishing third overall in a time of 23:01.63. Only Emory & Henry's Alette McGuire (21:40.67) and Pfeiffer's Alyson Hanlon (22:39.80) managed better times than Bailey.

Bailey has now posted consecutive top-five outings, following her fifth-place outing at the USA South Preview last week, and has been among the top-20 performers in every race for Salem this season.

Maria Ferrer posted the second-best time for the Spirits, crossing the line in 28:14.44, placing her 12th. She was followed in order by teammates Karen Romero Mendieta (29:45.28), RoyseAnn Day (31:00.94) and Mariana Rubio (31:58.16), giving the Spirits five Top-15 performances.

While Emory & Henry, Pfeiffer and the University of Lynchburg took part in the race they didn't have enough competitors to complete a five-person team.

For more information on Salem athletics and the Spirits' cross country team check out www.salemspirits.com.