GAINESVILLE, Ga. – The Columbus State University men's and women's cross country teams wrapped up the 2023 Peach Belt Conference Championships on Saturday, Oct. 21 with strong team finishes. The men placed third and the women finished fifth.

The University of North Georgia hosted the championships at the UNG Gainesville Campus cross country course.

On the men's side, the Cougars were led by Blake Lewis, who crossed the line in twenty third place in the men's 8k (26:26.7). Aidan Rush (26:35.0) and Elijah Sires (27:03.7) rounded out the top three finishers for the Cougars helping the men to a third place finish.

Kaeleigh Brooks finished with the highest placement for the Lady Cougars, taking home twenty ninth place in the women's 5k (19:23.9). Alesia Johnson (19:27.0) and Royal DeLay (19:55.3) rounded out the top three Lady Cougars to cross the finish line, helping the women to a fifth place team finish.

Lewis and Emily Marin each were awarded the PBC Cross Country Sportsmanship Awards.

Men's Results

23 – Blake Lewis: 26:26.7

25 – Aidan Rush: 26:35.0

31 – Elijah Sires: 27:03.7

36 – Daniel Leonard: 27:19.6

42 – Logan Fisher: 27:32

43 – Savian Taylor: 27:52.00

44 – Nicholas Phillips: 27:50.1

46 – McDonald Tandoh: 27:57.8

47 – Mark Ravenscraft: 28:12.00

51 – Reece Pasley: 28:20.3

53 – Jonah Simpson: 28:23.4

65 – James Harrelson: 30:06.1

Women's Results

29 – Kaeleigh Brooks: 19:23.9

32 - Alesia Johnson: 19:27.0

41 – Royal DeLay: 19:55.3

47 – Kat Valenta: 20:20.6

62 – Zoey Roberts: 21:29.1

67 – Emily Marin: 22:09.7

71 – Meghan Koh: 22:59.5

73 – Jenna Rolen: 23:53.2

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Columbus State will return to the UNG Gainesville campus for the NCAA Southeast Regional Championship in two weeks.