Newton junior Racheal Brown has been named the Rams' Athlete of the Week this week for her relentless effort on the cross country course.

Through three races this season. Brown has averaed a 17th place finish for the Rams, finishing 21st overall most recently at the Sept. 14 Greyhound Invitational hosted by Jones County High School.

Brown ran the event in a time of 23:28.15, finishing in the top-25 of the event.

"Cross country is different from other sports because it combines stregnth and endurance together in one compeition," Brown said. "You have to be able to run for long distances while also keeping your speed up."

Along with her 21st place finish at the Greyhound Invitational, Brown also placed 16th at the North Oconee meet on Sept. 5 and 15th at the Jag 1 Invitational on Aug. 24 hosted by Spalding High School.

"I want to drop my time under 20 minutes," Brown said. "That's one of my goals for this season."

Brown and the Rams return to action tomorrow at the Aubrae Gunderson Invitational at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers.