by Benny Benton
WINGATE, N.C. – The Barton College men's cross country team placed 13th among 15 squads Saturday at the Bulldog Stampede, which was held on the same Wingate XC Facility course that will serve as host to the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional in early November.
Not only did the Bulldogs receive a preview of the regional layout, but all five participants also gained their first collegiate experience running a 10K course.
Freshman Alex Kelly paced Barton with a time of 38:22.54, which ranked 73rd in the field of 122. Freshman Evan Lee placed 84th with a mark of 39:34.4, and freshman Greg Gibbs ranked 105th with an effort of 42:45.43.
Although a senior and sophomore, respectively, Qasim Ray and Leslie Jones had never run the longer, more difficult 10K distance collegiately either. They finished back-to-back in spots 114 and 115 with times of just over 44:48.
Augusta University won the event, edging University of Mount Olive and host Wingate University. Daniel Broadhead of Augusta was the race winner in a time of 32:35.58.
Barton will return to the Charlotte area next weekend to take part in the Royals Cross Country Challenge, the team's final race before the Conference Carolinas Championship on October 21.
