Augusta University’s cross country success continues, men win conference championship

The Augusta University men’s cross country team capped another successful season with their fourth Peach Belt Conference title in five years. The Jaguars scored a perfect score of 15, becoming the second team in league history to win a championship with a perfect score, joining the Kennesaw State squad from 1994.

In all, Augusta had 10 runners in the top 15.

Junior Kai Brickey led the way for the Jaguars, which placed all of their scoring runners in the top seven. He won the race, finishing with a time of 24:05.5. Coach Adam Ward believes Brickey is truly dedicated to his craft.

“Kai has been dedicated and keen on developing as a runner every year he has been here,” Ward said. “He gives great feedback and shows up hungry to do what is required in order for not only himself, but his teammates, to continue to improve. He isn’t the only one that does this and it’s another reason behind our team’s success.”

Next up for the Jags was junior Hans Troyer, who finished second with a time of 24:06.5. Senior Chandler Kennedy and freshman Patrick Motes finished third and fourth, respectively. Motes capped his great season by being named PBC Freshman of the Year while earning himself a spot on the PBC All-Conference team.

The women’s cross country team finished third in the PBC championships. Junior Mackenzie Taylor won the race for the second time, finishing with a time 18:25.6. Graduate student Hannah Beach placed fourth.

Ward believes consistency and hard work are the key to the Jags’ success.

“Our young men and women care more about the team’s success than for instant gratification. We don’t get a lot of recognition or acknowledgment for what we do, but we don’t let that affect what our goals are for this and every season,” he said.

“These young men and women know what it takes and put in the work during the season and out in order to be successful. A public congratulations from those on and around campus is welcomed, but if that was the only reason we did this, then we would have quit a long time ago.”

The Jaguars competed Nov. 6 in the NCAA Regional Championship in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The men placed fourth, and Brickey was the fastest runner for the men’s team, placing 13th overall. The women placed ninth overall and Taylor placed ninth individually.

The teams did not qualify for the NCAA DII cross country championship, but Brickey and Taylor received at-large bids to compete in the championships Nov. 20 in Saint Leo, Florida, at The Abbey Course.

The women’s race will begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by the men’s race at 9:45. A livestream of the championships will begin at 8:30 a.m. until the conclusion of the awards ceremony.

Ward and the Jags will look to recover from this season and then prepare for the spring semester.

“The main thing is preparing for the outdoor track season. We will take some time to recover well after our season ends, hopefully after nationals, and then get back to training for competing in the spring semester.”