Carli Lanley breaks the SAU 5K record (17:44) as she finishes more than 30-seconds ahead of her next competitor at the Lois Davis Invitational on September 12.
SAU senior Carli Langley ran away with this year’s cross country season, culminating with the Great American Conference Individual Championship and GAC Runner of the Year honors after finishing nearly a minute ahead of the second-place finisher.
“I’ve waited for this race for months, years even to cross that finish line as conference champion ever since I was a freshman,” Langley said. “I think the team ran their hearts out. I’m proud to be a part of a super hard-working team.”
Langley’s hard work was demonstrated with her powerful performances throughout the year. She crossed the finish line first at four events, and broke the SAU 5K (17:37) and 6K (22:28.5) records. Her record-setting 5K performance was also the fourth-fastest 5K in GAC history.
As a leader of her squad, she modestly tells her secrets to success.
“It’s up to you. You have to get yourself out there. I just try my best to be a positive motivator to them [my teammates] all the time,” said Langley.
Coach Tim Servis says that Langley’s presence has lifted the whole team to another level.
“Carli definitely pushes others in practice. What she’s done for the team is amazing,” said Servis.
Her running prowess was recognized as early as seventh grade, but she admitted at that age sleep was a higher priority over running at 6 a.m. every day. However, she started taking cross country seriously her sophomore year of high school, and she still holds three cross country records from Hamshire-Fannett High School in Hamshire, Texas.
Langley is a marketing major in the College of Business. She is on track to graduate in May.
