CLINTON - The Millsaps Majors Men's Cross Country Team were back in action on Friday as they competed at the Watson Ford Invitational. Millsaps got great runs to finish fourth as a team among non Division I schools at their home course.

The Majors were led by sophomore captain Ben Parva with a time of 27:35.90 for a sixth overall finish.

"Ben Parva led the men with a great race," said Head Coach Andy Till. "He ran a very smart and hard race with near even splits. It was a big breakthrough for Ben and a new personal record for Choctaw Trails."

Right behind him was freshman Jared Allen who finished ninth overall with a time of 27:55.59 to continue his superb start to his rookie season.

Till went on to add, "Jared ran very well and is proving to be a very consistent and hard-nosed competitor."

Next in like for Millsaps was freshman Ken Newburger with a 20th place finish and a time of 29:32.96, sophomore Sam Martin with a 21st place finish and a time of 29:33.16, freshman Hunter Hidalgo who placed 23rd with a time of 30:00.68, and sophomore Travis Hebeler with a time of 30:04.20 and a 25th place finish.

Till saw good signs, but knows improvement needs to be made to compete with the best, "Our other runners showed glimpses of a pack but we've really got some to do if we hope to compete at conference." 

Rounding out the Majors were freshman Konstantin Baizat and senior Douglas Kennedy who finished with times of 33:50.07 and 37:20.37.

Millsaps was down a runner on the morning as Will Napier was out.

"Will Napier sprained his ankle last week and without him the guys have struggled slightly with the pack," said Till. "In the meantime, I'm using Will as a coach to help teach the concept."

Millsaps is back at Choctaw Trails on October 13th as they will compete at the Mississippi College Open at Choctaw Trails at 9:15 a.m.