Senior Nikki Garland cruised to victory in the 2000 Georgia Southern Twilight Opener cross country meet on Friday afternoon, leading the Pirates to a first-place finish in the season opener for the AASU thinclads.

Garland finished the four kilometer course in a time of 14:59, nearly two minutes ahead of Valdosta State's Meredith Middleton, who was second with a time of 16:38. Pirate senior Amanda Lagesse finished third with a time of 16:47 and sophomore Jillian Charles (17:15, 9th) and Marie-Claude Ostiguy (17:16, 10th) also finished in the top 10. Rounding out the AASU finishers were sophomore Michaela Kratochvilova (17:34, 16th) and freshmen Zsofi Golopencza (18:09, 24th) and Sarah Harris (19:51, 33rd).

AASU finished with 38 points, just ahead of Valdosta State (44) and host Georgia Southern (83).

Georgia Southern Twilight Results

Nikki Garland		14:59 (1st)
Amanda Lagesse		16:47 (3rd)
Jillian Charles		17:15 (9th)
Marie-Claude Ostiguy	17:16 (10th)
Michaela Kratochvilova	17:34 (16th)
Zsofi Golopencza	18:09 (24th)
Sarah Harris		19:51 (33rd)

Senior Nikki Garland and the AASU cross country squad cruised to victory at the UNC Pembroke Invitational on Saturday afternoon in Lumberton, N.C.

Garland captured the individual title, finishing the 5k course in a course-record time of 17:27.99, breaking her own mark of 17:54.3 set at last year's meet. Senior Amanda Lagesse finished third in a time of 19:58.25, while sophomore Jillian Charles finished fourth in a time of 20:10.67 and senior Marie-Claude Ostiguy finished fifth in a time of 20:17.27. Sophomore Michaela Kratochvilova rounded out the AASU scoring by finishing ninth in a time of 20:57.68.

The Pirates finished with 17 points, ahead of Coker College (65), host UNC Pembroke (82), Shaw (85), St. Augustine's (122), Benedict (175) and Mount Olive (177).

UNC Pembroke Invitational Results

Nikki Garland		17:27.99 (1st)
Amanda Lagesse		19:58.25 (3rd)
Jillian Charles		20:10.67 (4th)
Marie-Claude Ostiguy	20:17.27 (5th)
Michaela Kratochvilova	20:57.68 (9th)
Zsofi Golopencza	22:00.39 (10th)
Sarah Harris		22:23.27 (13th)

Senior Nikki Garland won her third meet in three tries, capturing the college division of the Winthrop Cross Country Invitational on Saturday morning and helping the Pirates to a second-place finish.

Garland finished the five kilometer course in a time of 18:10, defending her Winthrop Invitational title from last season. Sophomore Jillian Charles finished sixth in a time of 20:32, followed closely by senior Marie-Claude Ostiguy, who finished seventh in a time of 20:37. Senior Amanda Lagesse placed 20th in a time of 21:13 and freshmen Zsofi Golopencza (30th, 22:01) and Sarah Harris (34th, 22:36) rounded out the Pirate scoring.

AASU finished with 64 points, 10 points behind college division team champion Mars Hill, who collected 54 points.

Winthrop Invitational Results

Nikki Garland		18:10 (1st)
Jillian Charles		20:32 (6th)
Marie-Claude Ostiguy	20:37 (7th)
Amanda Lagesse		21:13 (20th)
Zsofi Golopencza	22:01 (30th)
Sarah Harris		22:36 (34th)

Senior Nikki Garland keeps her winning streak alive, leading AASU to the USC Spartanburg cross country invitational title and winning her fourth race in four tries this season.

Garland paced the field over the six kilometer course in a time of 22:38.52, one and a half minutes ahead of her nearest competitor. Sophomore Jillian Charles placed sixth in a time of 25:17.15, followed closely by senior Marie-Claude Ostiguy, who finished seventh in a time of 25:17.64. Senior Amanda Lagesse finished 12th in a time of 25:38.24, while freshmen Zsofi Golopencza (19th, 27:07.33) and Sarah Harris (29th, 28:47.57) rounded out the Pirates' scoring.

AASU finished with 45 points, finishing ahead of Carson-Newman (53 points), Lander (93 points) and Queens (123 points).

USC Invitational Results

Nikki Garland		22:38.52 (1st)
Jillian Charles		25:17.15 (6th)
Marie-Claude Ostiguy	25:17.64 (7th)
Amanda Lagesse		25:38.24 (12th)
Zsofi Golopencza	27:07.33 (19th)
Sarah Harris		28:47.57 (29th)

The AASU women's cross country team finished fourth at the Bulldog Stampede, hosted by the University of Georgia, finishing behind the host Georgia Bulldogs, fellow DI member Samford and Peach Belt rival Kennesaw State.

Senior Nikki Garland saw her four consecutive individual title streak come to an end with a sixth-place finish, covering the six kilometer course in a time of 22:42.21. Senior Marie-Claude Ostiguy finished 24th in a time of 24:50.90, followed by sophomore Jillian Charles (28th, 25:30.33), senior Amanda Lagesse (32nd, 26:05.45) and freshmen Zsofi Golopencza (37th, 27:43.27) and Sarah Harris (42nd, 30:28.44).

AASU finished with 95 points, 33 behind Kennesaw State for third place. Georgia captured the team title with 32 points.

UGA Bulldog Stampede Results

Nikki Garland		22:42.21 (6th)
Marie-Claude Ostiguy	24:50.90 (24th)
Jillian Charles		25:30.33 (28th)
Amanda Lagesse		26:05.45 (32nd)
Zsofi Golopencza	27:43.27 (37th)
Sarah Harris		30:28.44 (42nd)

The Armstrong Atlantic State women's cross country team captured the college division of The Citadel Invitational on Saturday morning, defeating seven other schools and taking home their fourth title of the season.

AASU compiled 57 points to take home the title, ahead of fellow Peach Belt school Lander, who finished with 87 points. The Pirates were led by senior Marie-Claude Ostiguy, who finished third in a time of 19:52 over the five kilometer course. Sophomore Jillian Charles finished fourth with a time of 20:04 and senior Amanda Lagesse finished 13th in a time of 21:28. Freshmen Zsofi Golopencza (21st, 22:18) and Sarah Harris (25th, 22:35) rounded out the Pirates' scoring.

The Citadel Results

Marie-Claude Ostiguy	19:52 (3rd)
Jillian Charles		20:04 (4th)
Amanda Lagesse		21:28 (13th)
Zsofi Golopencza	22:18 (21st)
Sarah Harris		22:35 (25th)

The Armstrong Atlantic State women's cross country team finished third in the Peach Belt Conference Championships held at Columbus, Ga., on Saturday morning.

AASU compiled 67 points to finish behind team champion Kennesaw State (38) and North Florida (44). Senior Nikki Garland finished fourth, covering the 5000 kilometer course in a time of 18:26.07, to earn All-Peach Belt Conference honors for the fourth time. Also earning All-Peach Belt honors were senior Marie-Claude Ostiguy (8th, 19;40.90) and 1999 PBC Freshman of the Year Jillian Charles (10th, 20:01.20). Rounding out the Pirate finishers were sophomore Michaela Kratochvilova (22nd, 21:24.90), senior Amanda Lagesse (23rd, 21:35.34), freshman Zsofi Golopencza (29th, 22:06.01) and freshman Sarah Harris (43rd, 22:57.05).

The Lady Pirates finished third in the Peach Belt for the third consecutive season and have never finished below fourth in the conference since league competition began in 1991. AASU will next compete at the NCAA Division II South Regionals in Jacksonville, Fla., on Saturday, Nov. 4.

Peach Belt Conference Championships Results

Nikki Garland		18:26.07 (4th)
Marie-Claude Ostiguy	19:40.90 (8th)
Jillian Charles		20:01.20 (10th)
Michaela Kratochvilova	21:24.90 (22nd)
Amanda Lagesse		21:35.34 (23rd)
Zsofi Golopencza	22:06.01 (29th)
Sarah Harris		22:57.05 (43rd)

The AASU women's cross country team finished eleventh at the NCAA Division II South Regionals in Spartanburg, S.C., on Saturday afternoon.

AASU was led by senior Nikki Garland, who finished fifth overall in a time of 22:39.41 over the 6,000 meter course. Garland becomes the Lady Pirates' first four-time All-Region runner by duplicating her fifth-place performance from last season.

Senior Marie-Claude Ostiguy finished 13th overall in a time of 23:51.18, earning All-Region honors for the first time in her career. Sophomore Jillian Charles finished 46th with a time of 25:42.17, while senior Amanda Lagesse (78th, 27:17.55) and freshman Sarah Harris (131st, 33:38.20) rounded out the Lady Pirate scoring.

West Georgia captured the team title with 90 total points, followed by Harding (92), Florida Southern (100), Kennesaw Sate (105) and North Florida (107). The Pirates finished with 264 points, good for 11th place overall and third among Peach Belt schools. 20 schools overall competed at the regionals.

Peach Belt Conference Championships Results

Nikki Garland		22:39.41 (5th)
Marie-Claude Ostiguy	23:51.18 (13th)
Jillian Charles		25:42.17 (46th)
Amanda Lagesse		27:17.55 (78th)
Sarah Harris		33:38.20 (131st)