LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN– The 2022 Covenant cross country team had an eventful season that saw many moments of growth under first year head coach Eli Kaczinski.

The season started off with the Watermelon Run on September 1, hosted by Berry. Lydia Moore, Lydia Dorman, and Brooke McDonald were the first three to finish for the women while Josiah Mellott and Daniel Bowles were the top men to finish for Covenant. These top runners were key throughout the rest of the season and became consistent leaders for the Scots.

The next races to follow were challenging meets for Covenant, in particular the North Alabama Showcase. The Scots were up against the best teams they would see all season. Some of the competition included Alabama, Kentucky, Georgia Tech, and several other Division I and Division II programs.

Josiah Mellott ran one of his fastest times all season at the North Alabama Showcase, finishing at 26:48.3 and averaging a 5.23.5-mile pace, beating his 2021 personal record of 27:10.7.

To follow the Showcase, Ethan Caswell ran a solid meet finishing with a 6:03.9-mile pace and an overall time of 30:09.3 at the ASICS Invitational, his personal best of the season and beating his personal best from the 2021 season by five seconds.

Before the Scots were sent off to compete in the first ever Collegiate Conference of the South Cross Country Championship, Covenant first traveled back to Berry on October 15. This would be the last meet before the championships, several runners running some of their best times on the year. 

The women's top three runners in the CCS Meet were also the top three runners at the Berry Invitational, two of which broke their personal bests from the previous season. Freshman Jocelyn Gartman had a late start to the 2022 season, the Berry Invitational being her first race. Gartman was a top three finisher for the Scots and posted a time of 26:01.7.

At the CCS Championship Meet, the Covenant Cross Country team peaked performance-wise. Mellott and Bowles both earned a top ten finish and All-Conference Honors. Freshman Michael Cooke also had a noticeably nice performance, as Cooke finished third for the Scots on the men's side, running the 8K course in 29:34.0.

Four were named to the All-Conference team for the women. Lydia Moore, Lydia Dorman, Jocelyn Gartman, and Brooke McDonald ran personal bests and season-highs, placing 6th, 7th, 10th, and 11th, respectfully.

The Scots weren't done yet, though. Covenant, just two weeks later, flew to Virginia to race at the NCAA Division III South Regional Meet. After only running two meets previously, the newest addition to Women's Cross Country, Jocelyn Gartman, finished as the top runner for the women. 

Both Will Holland and Brooke McDonald stepped up and continued to show strong senior leadership during regionals. Head coach Eli Kaczinski commented "Brooke's leadership was unmatched." He also added that Holland's leadership earned him a spot in the regional meet. Holland ended up finishing in the top three on the men's side for Covenant. 

Overall, the Scots fought hard throughout the season and Coach Kaczinski is excited for what is to come for his young squad. The Scots will be looking to utilize their growing potential and continue to gain experience in order to hopefully earn that top spot in the CCS in the future.
 
SEASON NOTES

• Both the men and the women finished third in the Collegiate Conference of the South.
• Maggie McGinley and Daniel Bowles were awarded Rookie of the Week after strong performances at the UNG Invitational, Maggie finishing third on the women's side and Daniel finishing second on the men's side for Covenant.
• Daniel Bowles was the first freshman to cross the finish line at the CCS Championships earning him a major conference award

MEN'S TOP TIMES 8K

• Josiah Mellott- 26:44.4 
• Daniel Bowles 27:30.4 
• Samuel Harrelson 29:29.7

WOMEN'S TOP TIMES 6K

• Lydia Moore 25:19.1
• Lydia Dorman 25:28.1
• Jocelyn Gartman 25:44.1
• Brooke McDonald 26:23.1

MEN'S AWARDS

CCS Rookie of the Year: Daniel Bowles 
CCS First Team: Josiah Mellott
CCS Second Team: Daniel Bowles
CCS Rookie of the Week, Sept. 3: Daniel Bowles
 
WOMEN'S AWARDS

CCS First Team: Lydia Moore
CCS Second Team: Lydia Dorman, Jocelyn Gartman, Brooke McDonald
CCS Rookie of the Week, Sept. 3: Maggie McGinley

UP NEXT
Covenant Scots wishes you and your family a very Merry Christmas! Don't forget that Men's Basketball will play at BSC on December 28 and Women's Basketball will travel to Kentucky on December 31.
 
CONNECT WITH THE SCOTS
Be sure to follow the Scots all season long on athletics.covenant.edu and on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for up-to-date scores, news and other information. To receive e-newsletters, click here