FMU signs Aiken cross country runner

FLORENCE, S.C. – Francis Marion University cross country coach Mark Bluman has announced the signing of Justin Albertson of Aiken to a national letter of intent to attend FMU and run for the Patriot men this fall.

Albertson, 5-7, is a product of South Aiken High School, where he ran under the direction of coaches Russ Busbee and Bill Griswould.

A three-time All-Region cross country runner, he placed 24th at the 2008 AAA state cross country championship meet and eighth at the 2007 AAAA state meet. South Aiken was sixth in the team standings at the 2008 meet. He owns a personal-best time for 5,000-meters of 16:35.

On the track, he scored in both the 4x400-meter relay and the 4x800-meter relay at the 2009 AAA state meet as South Aiken tied for 13th in the team standings. He also competes in the 800-meters, where he has a personal-best time of 2:02.

“I really look forward to working with Justin this fall,” said Bluman. “He will be well prepared to handle the demands of competing at the next level. In recruiting Justin, it would always come back to his passion for the sport. Coach Busbee couldn't stress enough how much this young man loves to run and loves to compete. Every successful person in life has to have a passion for their trade.

“Justin comes from a great high school program as witnessed by South Aiken’s continued success in both track and cross country. Coach Busbee not only prepares his cross country runners to succeed at the high school level, but at the college level as well. Justin will succeed here.”

Francis Marion loses three seniors from its 2008 men’s squad that placed fifth at the Peach Belt Conference Championship Meet and recorded top five showings in each of its regular-season meets last fall.