SHELBY, NC
For the first time since 2019, the Lady Hurricanes fielded a full scoring team at the Region 10 Championship, showcasing their growth and determination. Ja'llian Paige led the charge with an impressive performance, battling fiercely for the individual region title and finishing 3rd overall, which earned her a coveted spot on the All-Region team.
Paige's podium finish marks a significant milestone for the program, as she is the first Lady Hurricane to achieve All-Region honors since Adanna Thomas, Alana Morgan, and Imperial Harris did so in 2019. Her remarkable time of 20:56 not only highlighted her competitive spirit but also secured her place at the National Championship in Richmond, VA, on November 9th.
The Lady Hurricanes put forth a strong showing, narrowly missing out on a runner-up finish, ending with a total of 54 points just three points shy of Cleveland Community College. Gaston College took the championship title with 20 points, demonstrating the depth of competition in the region.
Head Coach Mo Ordonez praised his team for their significant achievement. "The Regional Championship was a huge milestone for our Women's XC/TF program. Just a year ago, we didn't have a single runner in the women's race now we're not only scoring as a team but also celebrating an All-Region honoree. Ja'llian showed her competitive spirit; she could have played it safe and secured second, but she went for the win, falling just short. Given the choice, we'd run the same race plan 10 out of 10 times. We shot for the moon and landed on a star, result we're more than proud of."
Paige reflected on the significance of the race for the entire team, saying, "This past race was a milestone for the team as a whole. Even though there weren't any set PRs, the regional win for the men showcased all the hard work we put in over the summer and up to this point in practice. This proved that all the belief our coach had in us was real and achievable with the right mindset and effort."
The full list of Lady Hurricanes' finishers included Feyissia Woods (12th, 29:41), Machia Bryant (15th, 30:28), Emon Davis (19th, 38:23), and Aniyah Worthy (20th, 45:08). Their collective effort demonstrated the growth of the program and set the stage for future success.
As the team prepares for the National Championship, the Lady Hurricanes are eager to continue building on their momentum and showcase their hard work on a national stage. The excitement is palpable, and with a strong leader like Ja'llian Paige at the forefront, they are ready to make their mark.