The Gardner-Webb University cross country teams had impressive performances at the 2024 Big South Championships in North Charleston, SC Junior Jessica Perriello set a new school record, placing 11th in the women’s 5K with a time of 17:57 becoming the first GWU women’s runner to receive All-Big South honors. Both the men’s and women’s teams placed eighth overall, with several athletes setting personal bests during the event.

Through the numbers

• Jessica Perriello’s 5K time of 17:57 is the second fastest in GWU history.
• Nathan Cremin completed the men’s 8km run in 26:56, improving his personal record by 20 seconds.
• Several runners, including Ryan Mortia and Kaden Platt, set personal bests, with Platt improving by nearly a minute.

Yes but

While the Runnin’ Bulldogs performed well, their eighth-place finish on both the men’s and women’s teams suggests areas need improvement compared to other top teams in the conference.

state of affairs

• The women’s team had a strong performance, especially thanks to Perriello’s recognition and the personal achievements of several newcomers.
• The men’s team recorded significant improvements in individual times, suggesting potential for future competitions.

What’s next?

The Runnin’ Bulldogs will shift their focus to the 2024 NCAA Southeast Regionals, scheduled for November 15 in Rock Hill, SC, where they will look to build on their recent success.

Conclusion

Jessica Perriello’s record-breaking performance highlights the potential of the Gardner-Webb cross country program, and continued improvements among team members signal promise for the upcoming NCAA Regionals.