Young cross country team displaying impressive finishes

The Winston-Salem State Men's cross country team has been persistent with their competitive drive, displaying impressive performances with top-three overall team finishes in three meets.

Karen Godlock, the WSSU distance coach, said she set high expectations for the team regardless of the transition to Division II, because of the teams potential.

The Rams are a young team, with five freshmen, four sophomores, two juniors and two seniors. 

Despite their collegiate inexperience, the Rams have been competitive, winning one meet and placing 2nd and 3rd overall at two others.

"We have a young team, but they all step-up and ‘shine'," Godlock said. 

The Rams finished 3rd out of eight teams -- including several Division I teams like N.C. State , University of Maryland, and N.C. A&T -- at the Wolfpack Invite Sept. 18.

Of the 66 runners in the 5K event, freshman Andrew Chebii finished in 5th place.

Sophomores Aaron Barnes and Desmond Wiggan took 25th and 28th place.

They came in 2nd place at the 38th UNC-Pembroke XC Invitational Sept. 7, and won the Salem College XC Invitational Sept. 12. Both events consisted of Division I teams. 

Head Coach, Halcyon Blake, a three-time Olympian who has coached more than 18 NCAA Indoor and Outdoor National qualifiers, said she believes "These guys are more than ready for Division I competition."

With meets like the Great American XC Invitational,and   the 14th Annual Disney Cross Country Classic remaining, the Rams will continue to possess humility, physical and mental strength, Godlock said.