Darton Cross Country charges into the national poll

ALBANY – Darton State College entered the NJCAA D-3 Cross Country polls this week ranked No. 5 in the women’s division and No. 6 in the men’s.

These are Darton’s first rankings since the cross country programs switched to Division III, and Darton head cross country coach Bruce Skiles said his teams are capable of climbing higher.

“They don’t know us, yet,” he said. “There’s some pretty good teams in there, but we should be 3rd or 4th on the men’s side, and I think our women’s team could be No. 2.”

The Cavaliers are led by sophomore David Thornton, who ran mid-27s in an 8,000-meter time trail, Saturday. The Lady Cavaliers are led by sophomore Amber Braswell, who finished a 5K in 21:56 on Saturday. She is challenged, however, by teammate Tatianna Forester, who is picking up speed as the season progresses.

Darton hopes to finish very well at the NJCAA D-3 Cross Country Championships in Finger Lakes, NY, on Nov. 8.

Friday they will run at the Point Invitational in Atlanta at 5 p.m.

Ranking #5

Men:                                                               Women:

1.         Harper                                                 1.         Harper

2.         Delhi                                                   1.         MVCC

2          Howard                                               3.         Joliet

4.         MVCC                                                4.         Ocean

4.         Rowan                                                 5.         Darton

6.         Darton                                                 6.         Suffolk

7.         Lorain                                                 7.         FIT

8.         Onondaga                                            8.         Delhi

8.         Broome                                               9.         Dutchess

10.       Potomac State                                     10.       Rowan