MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. | As their time with the Georgia College & State University women's cross country team comes to an end, seniors Lorena Cazora and Emily Wright are reflecting on the miles they've run and the memories that made the journey unforgettable. 

The Bobcats run their final home meet of the season Saturday (Oct. 25) at 9 a.m. when GCSU hosts the Peach Belt Conference Championship at 9 a.m. at the Bobcat Cross Country Course.

Cazora, an economics major from Rome, Italy, has been running since she was six years old, but said she didn't compete until joining GCSU in 2021.  

"For most of my life, running was something personal, a way to connect with myself," said Cazora. "Joining the GCSU team transformed that passion into purpose and gave me the opportunity to experience the competitive and community side of the sport for the first time." 

Her favorite memories are being with her teammates through the long bus rides, pre-race nerves and dinner after the races. She feels that the shared experiences are what makes the team special.  

"The friendships, memories and lessons learned will stay with me long after my time as a GCSU runner comes to an end," said Cazora. 

Wright, a political science major from Evans, Georgia, shared a similar feeling. She said her favorite moment came at the 2024 conference meet, when the team thought they had taken third place and beat a rival team.  

"We were jumping up and down, screaming," she said. "Even though we ended up getting fourth, that moment showed me that being on a team is about more than just winning." 

Wright said her teammate Lauren Thisdale has been her biggest inspiration. She is a top runner but stays humble, seeing herself as a part of the greater cause that all the runners contribute to.  

"I used to struggle in high school with being overcompetitive with my teammates, but college has taught me the importance of every place. Whether you finish first or last, you matter," said Wright.  

Cazora said both her dad and her coach have had the biggest influence on her running.  

"My coaches consistently believed in my potential and pushed me to grow both mentally and physically, while my dad inspired me daily through his dedication, resilience, and positivity," said Cazora. 

Both women described their time at GCSU as transformative and agree that leaving the team will be the hardest part. Their advice for those just starting out is to believe in your training, lean on your teammates and enjoy every mile; It goes by faster than you think. 

About GCSU Athletics
Owning the top Academic Success Rate among all public colleges and universities in Division II for four consecutive academic years, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GCSU Athletics has won five consecutive Presidents' Awards for Academic Excellence, and are two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup and four-time winners of the PBC Institution of the Year Sportsmanship Award. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' continued appearances in postseason competition as well as high-level academic success and community-service involvement. Bobcat Athletics embodies the mantra of "Graduating Champions for Life." Sign up at @GCSUBobcats on all social media outlets for up-to-the-minute reports or subscribe to the GSCU Athletics e-newsletter to receive the latest news, schedule updates and to interact with GCSU Athletics.