3 runners help UGA cross-country team dash to 16th place

The women's cross country team at the University of Georgia is enjoying one of its finest seasons. The squad is ranked No. 16 in the country after a second-place finish at the SEC Championships.

The conference meet was held by LSU in Baton Rouge, La. Former Augusta Christian standout Sarah Madebach finished 19th in the 6-kilometer race with a time of 20:57.75. Her twin sister, Rebekah, had a time of 22:28.74 (61st) and former Greenbrier star and current UGA freshman Bridget Lyons finished 92nd with a time of 23:56.41.

The Madebach sisters are two of the most honored athletes ever to compete in Columbia County, and both have enjoyed success at UGA. In addition to Sarah's 19th-place showing in the Conference Championships, she finished 38th at the Notre Dame Invitational and 39th at the Pre-Nationals in Terre Haute, Ind.

Rebekah took a second-place finish in September at the Western Carolina/UGA Dual Meet in Cullowhee, N.C. She had a time of 9:09 in the 2-kilometer run, missing the victory by one second.

Lyons, in her first season at UGA, has a bright future. She was a three-time region champion at Greenbrier. The versatile athlete was also the soccer team's MVP as a senior for the Lady Wolfpack.

The three athletes are in Knoxville, Tenn., this weekend for the NCAA South Regional. They will attempt to advance to the NCAA Championships later this month in Terre Haute.