Lawson Posts Runner-Up Finish at Sun Belt Cross Country Championship

Friday, November 1

Foley, Ala.

10:15 a.m. ET (9:15 a.m. CT)

James Madison University

Sun Belt Conference Championship

Katherine Lawson vs SBC XC Championship 110124

Lawson Posts Runner-Up Finish at Sun Belt Cross Country Championship

11/1/2024 2:05:00 PM | Cross Country

FOLEY, Ala. – Katherine Lawson paced James Madison, placing second as an individual at the Sun Belt Conference Cross Country Championship 5K race to help the Dukes take seventh as a team on Friday morning at the Graham Creek Nature Preserve.

The junior recorded a personal-best 17:10.5 to earn First Team All-Conference honors.

JMU tallied 136 points (2-24-34-36-40), while App State took home the team title with 45 (3-6-7-13-16). Arkansas State earned silver (106), followed by Marshall (115), Coastal Carolina (129) and Texas State (130).

Senior Sofia Terenziani was the second JMU runner to cross the finish line, coming in 24th (18:35.2). Sophomore Sarah Cestare (34th – 18:46.8), freshman Madison Cole (36th – 18:47.4) and Kristin Giordano (40th – 18:53.2) all ran personal bests to round out the scoring five.

The Dukes had an average time of 18:26.6 with a spread of 1:42.7.

Quoting Head Coach Rebekah Ricksecker
"We always strive to be on the podium as a team, so although we were disappointed in our overall score, we still had many positives today. We made a lot of progress as a team from the beginning of the season until now, but a few other teams outperformed us despite our team having a solid day. We have a young team and had four athletes run a lifetime best today. Katherine Lawson ran an incredible race — she was gutsy, tough, confident, and ran very well strategically, finishing in second, and she also ran the third fastest time in school history with a 17:10. Madison Cole stepped up and had a phenomenal race, as well as Sarah Cestare, who has been improving all season. Kristin Giordano ran tough and finished with a personal best time as well."

JMU Runners
2. Katherine Lawson – 17:10.5 (PR)
24. Sofia Terenziani – 18:35.2
34. Sarah Cestare – 18:46.8 (PR)
36. Madison Cole – 18:47.4 (PR)
40. Kristin Giordano – 18:53.2 (PR)
49. Faithe Ketchum – 19:07.6
51. Kylie Brooks – 19:08.5 (PR)
65. Alayna Gifford – 19:35.0 (PR)

Team Scores
1. App State – 45
2. Arkansas State – 106
3. Marshall – 115
4. Coastal Carolina – 129
5. Texas State – 130
6. Louisiana – 132
7. James Madison – 136
8. Southern Miss – 172
9. South Alabama – 194
10. Troy – 296
11. ULM – 308
12. Georgia Southern – 322
13. Georgia State – 381

2024 Sun Belt Women's Cross Country Elite Award Winner: Molly Jones, Coastal Carolina

2024 Sun Belt Women's Cross Country Runner of the Year: Kylee Mastin, Marshall

2024 Sun Belt Women's Cross Country Freshman of the Year: Bre Budzinski, App State

2024 Women's Cross Country First Team All-Conference
Jasmine Donohue, App State
Molly Jones, Coastal Carolina
Katherine Lawson, James Madison
Kylee Mastin, Marshall
Maria Kaylor, Southern Miss

2024 Women's Cross Country Second Team All-Conference
Lauren Johnston, App State
Emma Russum, App State
Isabelle Russell, Louisiana
Hannah Wyler, Marshall
Charleen Elizondo, South Alabama

2024 Women's Cross Country Third Team All-Conference
Lana Farris, App State
Maja Dzialoszewska, Arkansas State
Addison Laughlin, Coastal Carolina
Ella Segura, Louisiana
Abigail Parra, Texas State

Up Next
The Dukes will head to Blacksburg, Va. for Virginia Tech's Hokie Open on Nov. 8. Following the tune-up, the team will prepare for the NCAA Southeast Regional race, hosted by Winthrop on Nov. 15.