The Greensboro College men’s cross country team reached new heights in the 2002 season. 

In nearly every race The Pride men were led by freshman Doug Holbrook. Holbrook had a remarkable streak where he set a GC men’s mark in seven of Greensboro’s last eight events. The Thomasville, N.C. native now has The Pride record for the 8K (27:09) and 5K (16:57). Holbrook’s 8K mark was set at the NCAA regional meet in Fredericksburg, VA—where GC finished 13th of 23 teams.
 
The Pride men’s team finished second in the Dixie Conference championships, its highest placing ever. GC was paced at the meet—held locally at Hagan Stone Park in Pleasant Garden—by second team DIAC performers Tim Insley and Michael Barnard. Insley and Barnard placed 12th and 14th respectively. The rest of the team—Holbrook, Nick Dishler and Kevin Eagan—helped GC fend off Ferrum College for second place in the conference meet. 
     
Subsequently, GC Head Coach Jill Shusterman was named DIAC men’s cross country coach-of-the-year. In just two years, Shusterman has turned a low-profile program into the region’s 13th ranked team.
      
On the women’s side, GC placed 20th of 27 at the regional and 5th of 7 teams at Dixie meet.
    
Sophomore Kristi Hunter was The Pride’s top runner at both meets. She was 15th at the DIAC, just one place behind second team recognition. Teammate Rebecca Beninghove placed 16th at the conference race.
     
Kate Roberton, Keri Collins and Amanda Herron rounded out Greensboro’s lineup on 2002. Collins, a senior, is the only runner not slated to return next year.
     
“We made huge strides this year,” Shusterman said. “Eyebrows were raised when people started seeing our results. But our work isn’t done. With just about everyone coming back, the team should be even better in 2003.”
 
 

2002 GC Cross Country Honors  Michael Barnard, Dixie second team; Doug Holbrook, Dixie XC rookie-of-week (4x);GC 8K record-holder; Tim Insley, Dixie Second Team; Jill Shusterman, DIAC Men’s XC coach-of-year.

Tim Insley:  DIAC Second Team