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Shorter harriers compete at Berry Viking Open
By Blair Hooper
ROME — The Shorter University cross country teams sent individuals to compete in the Viking Open hosted by Berry College on Saturday in preparation for both team’s appearances at the national championships.
Louis Fields laced up for the men’s competition and completed the 10k course in 40:29 while averaging a 6:31 mile. Fields took 21st overall in a field of 26 competitors.
Cassadee Ainsworth competed in the women’s race and finished the 6k course in 27:36 while pacing a 7:24 mile. Ainsworth secured 12th place overall out of 31 athletes.
“They did really well,” commented Shorter head coach Jay Stephenson. “It was a good experience.”
The race not only prepared the Hawks and Lady Hawks for the coming national championships in Vancouver, Wash., but also for Shorter’s transfer to NCAA Division II next year.
“We are used to the women running on a 5k course and the men on an 8k. In Division II, we will be running 6k and 10k courses so this race helped with the coming change,” said Stephenson.
Both cross country teams will travel to the NAIA Cross Country National Championship on Saturday, Nov. 19, in Vancouver, Wash. Shorter swept the SSAC Championships on Nov. 5 for just the second time in school history.
