The Clark Atlanta University men's and women's cross country teams got their first meet under their belts Friday when they competed in the 9^th Annual University of North Georgia Invitational in Oakwood, Ga.

Not only was it the first meet of the season for the two teams.  It was also their first competition since 2019 as the 2020 season was canceled due to Covid-19.

Head Coach Pamela Page said the two teams, with only one returner from 2019 among them, is full of newcomers who were excited to get out on a course and run.  Page said the both teams were less focused on where they placed than they were on individual goals set in what were their first-ever cross country races.

Friday on the women's side, freshman Kaelyn Palms led the Lady Panthers as she finished in 68^th place with a time of 24:16.8.  Junior Kayla Partee was eleven spots behind with a time of 25.54.2. 

Junior London Lee (24:43.8) was right behind Partee. Sophomore Naomi Andrews was 82^nd (27:05.6), sophomore Shakeria Freeman finished 83^rd (27:29.5), and freshman Aria Allen was 88^th at 29:04.8.

On the men's side, sophomore Lamin Secka was the leading Panther competitor Friday, finishing 53^rd with a time of 19:19.7.  Benjamin Raspberry (23:01.6), Laurence Dallas (23:11.8), and Justin Longstreet (23:20.0) – all three, Panther basketball players – finished 64^th through 66^th in their first meet.

Both teams are back in action next week when they travel to nearby Carrolton, Ga., on Saturday, Sept. 25 for the University of West Georgia Coach Gary Wilson Invitational.