News Summary
Madison Thomas of Augusta has been recognized as the Peach Belt Conference Runner of the Week for the third consecutive time, showcasing her remarkable skills in the 2025 cross country season. With the fastest 5k time in the PBC at 18:02.0 and top finishes in her previous races, she leads her team into upcoming competitions, including the Peach Belt Conference Championships. The Augusta women’s cross country team is building momentum and confidence as they prepare for the postseason.
Augusta – Augusta senior Madison Thomas has been named the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) Runner of the Week for the third consecutive time as of October 13, 2025. This recognition highlights her strong performance during the ongoing 2025 cross country season, where she has excelled in each of her three races this fall, receiving the conference’s weekly honor after every appearance.
In her most recent outing, Thomas recorded the fastest 5k time in the PBC this season with an impressive time of 18:02.0 at the Royals Cross Country Challenge held in Charlotte, N.C. There, she finished 19th in a competitive field that included runners from both Division I and Division II schools. Earlier in the season, Thomas showcased her abilities by winning first place at the GCSU Bobcat Invite with a time of 19:22.9. She opened her season with a notable performance at the Queen City Invite, completing the race in 18:30.3.
Thomas is currently the only women’s runner in the PBC to receive the weekly honor in every race this season. At the Royals Cross Country Challenge on October 10, the Augusta women’s cross country team placed fifth in the Women’s Blue 5K and seventh in the Women’s Gold 5K heats. Freshman Caleigh Munro led the Augusta team in the Blue race with a 15th-place finish, recording a time of 19:54.04. Senior Cheyenne Ryan closely followed, finishing in 17th place with a time of 19:57.80. Additional noteworthy results from the Blue race include sophomores Ansley Graddy (20:33.50) and Sophia Cook (20:38.12), along with freshman Carlee Hodges (21:46.57).
In the Gold race at the same event, Thomas also led her team, clocking in at 18:01.91, and finishing 19th overall. Junior Maria Biondollilo secured 28th place with a time of 18:18.68. Completing Augusta’s scoring five in the Gold race were junior Danielle Thayer (18:51.37), freshman Gabriella Burton (18:58.39), and freshman Josabeth Graciano (19:06.70). The competitive environment provided by the meet, which featured several Division I and II teams, offered Augusta valuable racing experience as they prepare for the postseason.
The Augusta Jaguars women’s cross country team will compete next on October 25, 2025, in the Peach Belt Conference Championships in Milledgeville, Ga. The Jaguars previously earned their first team victory of the season at the Bobcat Invitational on September 26, 2025. They finished with a total of 41 points, with Madison Thomas playing a pivotal role by leading the team and finishing first with a time of 19:22.83. At that event, Augusta placed five runners in the top 15, successfully securing the win over influential competitors such as Division I Georgia Southern (61 points) and Peach Belt rival North Georgia (70 points). The Jaguars also surpassed five other Peach Belt programs in that meet, further establishing their consistency and competitive edge this season.
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Additional Resources
- Augusta Jaguars: Madison Thomas’s Third Consecutive PBC Honor
- Wikipedia: Cross Country Running
- Augusta Jaguars: Women’s Cross Country at Royals Challenge
- Google Search: Peach Belt Conference Cross Country
- Augusta Jaguars: Women’s Cross Country Wins Bobcat Invitational
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cross Country Running
- Augusta Jaguars: Men’s Cross Country Season Opener
- Google News: Augusta Jaguars Cross Country
Author: STAFF HERE AUGUSTA WRITER
AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER The AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAugusta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Augusta, Richmond County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Arts in the Heart Festival, Westobou Festival, and Masters Week. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Greater Augusta Arts Council, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Textron Specialized Vehicles, Cardinal Health, and Nutrien. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
