Converse Claims Individual Title at Eye Opener Meet
Competing against both Division I and II schools in the first meet of the 2015 season, the Valkyries performed well for head coach Brandon Morton with a fourth place finish among DII teams at the USC Upstate Eye Opener at Milliken Research Park.
Ashly Sutherland (Cowpens, S.C.) was the headline for the Valkyries as she was the top finisher among all 62 runners. As Sutherland was coming down the home stretch, the senior was in prime position to pass the only three runners in front over her. Sutherland kicked in the last bit of energy she had to take home the individual title in 19:12.16.
Autumn Stone (Charleston, S.C.) finished 29th overall and (DII-18th) with a time of 21:47.83.
Brittany Sandifer (Seneca, S.C.) and Lauren Morris (Blythewood, S.C.) finished third and fourth respectively for the Valkyries just two seconds apart. Jane Macsay (Greenville, S.C.) rounded out the scoring for the Valkyries.
Assistant Coach Patti Laufenberg competed as an individual for team motivation. Laufenberg competed as a middle-distance runner at DIII Carthage. She finished 16th overall.
Teams involved consisted of Division I programs: USC Upstate and Wofford as well as many Division II and NAIA schools. Young Harris, Paine, Brevard, UNC Pembroke and Lenoir-Rhyne round out the DII programs.
Converse returns to the course next week, Saturday, September 12 at the Furman Classic in Greenville, S.C.