WILMORE, Ky. --- The Asbury Cross Country teams traveled to Knoxville, TN Friday to compete in the 2023 Appalachian Challenge. Good competition and the perfectly flat course along the banks of the Tennessee River contributed to some great performances for the Eagles.

Freshman Bailey Gassmann took advantage of the ideal conditions to race to the fastest time of her young collegiate career. In the process of dropping her 5K time from 19:52 down to 19:10, she moved from 16^th place to 3^rd in Asbury's school history. Gassmann now trails only school record holder Katy Falkenburg and NCCAA All-American Carolina Trumpower on the cross country program's all-time list. She crossed the finish line in 32^nd place in the meet.

Running well in Bailey's wake was Ava Miller who finished the course in 21:02. Ella Morton and Lucy Kate Gibson were the next two Eagles in, both setting new personal bests for the third straight race, this time with efforts of 21:13 and 21:32 respectively. Rounding out the scoring for the team was Katherine Stanley in 21:42.

The ladies' team finished 11^th out of the 18 college teams competing, well behind meet champion Milligan and just ahead of former conference rival Midway.

The Asbury men's team was paced by Wes Preston with his season-best of 26:23 for 8K (5 miles). That time was a frustrating scant two seconds shy of his all-time personal best set last November in the NCCAA National Championship meet where he earned All-American honors.

Good times abounded for the rest of the team with Dan Kersey (27:32), Cam Tapp (27:42) and Josh Rittgers (27:55) all running the best times of their life as the nest three Asbury finishers. Though not scoring for the team, Tyler Chong, Luke Holton, and Jojo Ernst also raced to new personal bests, with Luke and Jojo finally cracking the 30-minute barrier.

The men's team finished 15^th out of the 19 teams in the stiff competition.

This concluded the regular season of competition for the cross country teams as the Eagles will prepare for the NCCAA National Championship. 


"This was one of the prettiest places we have ever run.  The river on one side of the course and amazing mansions on the other side.  We came down here because the flat out and back course with few turns has the reputation of being very fast, and it lived up to its' billing.  We were well-rested and ready to take advantage of the conditions.  Despite some challenging issues with the bus making for a very long trip home, we had an amazing trip, fun competition, and special team-bonding moments." 
Head Coach | Randy Crist


Next up for AU cross country is the NCCAA National Championship meet in Warsaw, In., on November 10th. 


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