Xiamar Richards leads Austin Peay Lady Govs Cross Country into OVC Championships

APSU Sports: Austin Peay Women’s Cross Country

Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University women’s cross country team makes a return trip to Oxford, AL, Saturday, for the 2012 Ohio Valley Conference Cross Country Championships, hosted by Jacksonville State.

The stakes have been raised from the Lady Govs last appearance at the Oxford Lake and Recreation Center. In the Lady Govs October 5th appearance at the JSU Foothills, junior Xiamar Richards won the women’s 5K event, her third career victory, and earned OVC Female Runner of the Week honors.

Richards, a second-team All-OVC selection in 2011, looks to become Austin Peay’s first repeat all-conference performer since Bertha Castillo, a three-time All-OVC finisher from 2007-09.

The Lady Govs look to build on last year’s seventh-place team finish. As a team, Austin Peay has not finished higher than sixth since 1999.

“Our goal is to have full team personal-bests,” said head coach Doug Molnar. “Knowing the course should give us a little edge. Hopefully we can get a repeat all-conference performance from Xiamar Richards.”