#TCCWXC announces inaugural roster
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (August 24, 2016) – Tallahassee Community College head women's cross country coach Gary Droze has announced the roster for the Eagles' inaugural season, which opens Friday, August 26 when the team participates in the Cougar XC Challenge.
The event, hosted by Godby High School, will take place at Phipps Park at 5:30 p.m. In addition to Tallahassee, the Cougar XC Challenge will feature Region 8 opponents Chipola College and Pasco-Hernando State College, as well as Life (Ga.) University.
Tallahassee's nine-person roster, all first-year participants, includes both cross country veterans and runners who are crossing over from other sports, such as basketball and soccer. All nine runners are from the state of Florida, including two Tallahassee high school graduates.
Here is a closer look at Tallahassee Community College's 2016 women's cross country roster:
Clover Carithers (Lakeland, Fla./McKeel Academy of Technology)
Coach Droze on Carithers: "Clover comes to us with high school cross country experience and a strong desire to take her running to the next level."
Jasmine Green (Clermont, Fla./East Ridge HS)
Coach Droze on Green: "Jasmine is new to distance running, but has taken to the trails with great enthusiasm. She has shown significant improvement since starting up, and is a joy to coach."
Monet Madeux (Merritt Island, Fla./Merritt Island HS)
Coach Droze on Madeux: "Monet will captain our inaugural team and is the team's top incoming runner, having posted a personal record of 20:38 in the 5k. She hails from Merritt Island High School, where she was a four-year starter and major contributor to their successful program."
Pauline Nash (Jupiter, Fla./Jupiter HS)
Coach Droze on Nash: "Pauline is no stranger to long runs, having covered up to 15 miles in a single session of training. She helps give us depth on the team that will represent TCC in this year's NJCAA half marathon championship."
Jeanna Prisco (Sopchoppy, Fla./Wakulla HS)
Coach Droze on Prisco: "Our very first signee, Jeanna hails from Wakulla High School. She is one of several runners who is fairly new to the sport, yet has shown a willingness to make cross country a pursuit that will ultimately lead to great success. While technically a newcomer to distance running, she already shows the potential to represent Tallahassee at the national level."
Samantha Reilly (Sarasota, Fla./Sarasota Military Academy/State College of Florida)
Coach Droze on Reilly: "Samantha brings unique experience as a veteran ultra-marathoner (events beyond the 26.2 mile marathon distance). She will likely anchor our team when we compete at the NJCAA half marathon championships, just after the cross country season ends."
Ellie Stubblefield (Tallahassee, Fla./Maclay School)
Coach Droze on Stubblefield: "A Maclay School graduate with extensive track experience in the sprints, Ellie is a newcomer to cross country, but has already demonstrated distance ability by impressively increasing her long runs over the summer. She is a good bet to make our half marathon squad."
Regan Ward (Tallahassee, Fla./Chiles HS)
Coach Droze on Ward: "Regan is a Chiles High School graduate and comes to us with a soccer background but a tremendous desire to transition to her new sport of cross country. Her summer improvement bodes well for the season."
Mia Wiederkehr (Bradenton, Fla./Braden River HS)
Coach Droze on Wiederkehr: "Mia comes on board as our No. 2 runner with a personal record of 22:00 in the 5k. She was a solid varsity runner for Braden River High School in Bradenton, where she was also a key member of the track team. She will make an immediate impact for the Eagles."
Following Friday's race, the Eagles will be off until September 24 when they compete in the Prefontaine Forest Run 5K at Silver Lake.
