Lady Commodores Cross Country Opens 2025 Season at VSU Border Clash

Panama City, Fla. – The Gulf Coast State College Women's Cross Country team will begin their 2025 season on Friday, September 5, at the VSU Cross Country Border Clash in Valdosta, Georgia. The 5k race is set to start at 6:15 p.m. EST. The Lady Commodores are one of 13 teams taking part in this year's meet.

At last year's Border Clash, the Lady Commodores had several strong finishes. Katelynne James led the way, finishing 12th with a time of 22:23.6. Bailey Martinek placed 18th at 22:59.2, followed by Keiley Hickman in 20th at 23:06.1, and Adriana Cruz-Bethancourth in 22nd at 23:34.8.

The Lady Commodores are led by a talented sophomore class that finished 3rd at the 2024 FCSAA/NJCAA DII Region 8 Championship. Last season, Adriana Cruz-Betancourth was named FCSAA DII Cross Country Runner of the Week for two weeks in a row. She won the 2024 Gulf Coast State Invite with a time of 21:49.57, then cut 23 seconds off her time the next week at the FSU Invitational, finishing in 21:26.4. She also ran her fastest time of the season at the NJCAA National Championship, crossing in 20:36.8.

Katelynne James posted her top times at the FCSAA/NJCAA Region 8 Championship (21:57.8) and at the NJCAA National Championship (21:55.2).

Three Lady Commodores earned their best marks at the FSU Invitational last season. Bailey Martinek ran 22:13.2, Keiley Hickman ran 22:32.5, and Madison McMillan ran 23:48.7. Hannah DaCosta had her best time of 23:31.76 at the Gulf Coast State Invite.

This fall, Coach Dever and his staff welcomed three new freshmen to the roster: Lauren Logue from Mosley High School, Hannah Gadberry from Terre Haute, Indiana, and Keren Lin from Arnold High School.

The Lady Commodores are excited to begin their 2025 season and look forward to building on last year's success.