Gaston College Review 2024-25: Cross country sets history with best season in school history

Before the 2024 cross country season began, Gaston College had never won a team or individual championship of a meet.

All that changed in the school's best cross country season in history was capped by team appearances in the National Junior College Athletic Association cross country and half marathon championship events.

Led by Region 10 individual champion Keirieonna Wilson, coach Kody Kubbs' Rhinos won their first team title in the 2024 Region 10 championship meet in Shelby.

Kubbs' team then finished 23rd in the national championships before improving to 12th in the country three days later in the school's inaugural half marathon. Both events were held in Richmond, Va.

"Finishing 12th in the nation is incredible, especially in our first year competing in the half marathon distance," Kubb said after the half marathon on Nov. 12, 2024. "We couldn't have asked for better weather or a nicer course for the half marathon championship to be on here in Richmond. And all of the ladies are incredibly grateful for this opportunity in the experience that we've had."

Wilson, a sophomore from Statesville, led the way during the season with a first-place finish in the Region 10 championships and a second-place finish in the 2024 Yeti Invitational that was held at the same course as region championships.

Wilson, freshmen Lexi Birtwistle (4th place) and Maddie Frank (5th) and sophomore Abbygale King (6th) were All-Region 10 honorees for their top finishes in the championship. And sophomores Alayna Cook and Abigail Harris and freshman Sara Scoggins rounded out the roster for Gaston College's fourth cross country team in its school history.