Link to GSC Cross Country Championships Page

MONTEVALLO, Ala. - The Union University women's cross country team posted a second-place finish at the 2019 Gulf South Conference Championships. Union also had five runners honored by the GSC. The 5K event was held on Montevallo's campus and featured 12 teams with 91 runners.

Gladys Kipchumba (9th) and Abigail Bergquist (10th) earned first-team All-GSC honors by finishing in the top-10. Jackline Ruto (16th) and Chloe Veilleux (17th) earned second-team All-GSC honors for their top-20 finishes. Amanda Leatherwood earned the GSC Champion Scholar-Athlete Award. It was the first-ever Champion Scholar-Athlete Award given by the GSC. The award is given to the student-athlete with the highest GPA, with most credit hours being the tie-breaker, of all student-athletes at the final site GSC Championships.

This marks Union's second-ever runner-up team finish at the GSC Championships. Since joining the league in 2012, Union has posted two championships (2014, 2016), two runner-ups, two third-place finishes and one fourth-place. 

Union finished behind team champion Lee. Union was ahead of Mississippi College in third, Alabama Huntsville fourth, Montevallo fifth, Christian Brothers sixth, Valdosta State seventh, West Florida eighth, Auburn Montgomery ninth, West Georgia 10th, Delta State 11th, and Shorter 12th. 

Joining the four top-20 finishers for Union was Valarie Jemutai 25th, Anna Tankersley 29th, Rebecca Tankersley 34th, Leatherwood 43rd, Gabbie Stevens 50th, and Jordan Meadors 53rd.

Up next for Union will be the NCAA D2 South Region Championships, November 9, in Lakeland, Fla. Union finished second in the region meet last season. The top three finishers in the region advance to the NCAA D2 National Championships, November 23 in Sacramento, Calif. 

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