JACKSON - The Millsaps Majors Cross Country Team received good news as they begin their journey into the Southern Athletic Association. The news broke that this years SAA Championship would be held on their home turf at Choctaw Trails on Octobert 27th.
Fourth year Head Coach Andy Till feels that his men and women are ready for this opporuntiy and is excited to see how they handle it.
"Our team runs out there once a week," explains Till. "It should give them a level of confidence to be out there, to have fan support, to know this is our place."
And as the season approaches, the Major Men bring in a deep squad this season as they welcome back five experienced runners from a season ago and five newcomers including four freshmen.
"We're no longer the young team in the conference, we're in the middle of age and experience" says Till. "Our men have established who we are and what we want."
One newcomer is senior Douglas Kennedy who joins the cross country team late in his Millsaps career as he looks to make an impact. Also joining Millsaps are Jared Allen and Ken Newburger of Brother Martin High School in New Orleans, Konstantin Baizat of St. Andrew's, and Hunter Hidalgo of Archbishopy Shaw of New Orleans.
"We brought in a great group of freshman men that have already bought in and already made an impact," said Till. "They've got big goals for themselves."
Millsaps brings back sophomore Ben Parva who was a huge bright spot for the Majors a year ago and will serve as the team's captain. Parva was terrific last year including a win at the Golden Eagle Classic last year, which led the Millsaps Men to a first overall finsih, and two more top five individual performances.
The Majors also return juniors Sam Martin, Will Napier and Christ Duck. Travis Hebeler also returns to the team as a sophomore.
"We have great leadership from our captain Ben Parva," adds Till. "Sam Martin will bring a great amount of enthusiasm to this team and I don't think you can find a better person then Will Napier to act as that supporting cast for our leaders."
Though the women lack depth, they make up for it in quality performance as they bring back great talent in 2012.
"For the women, it's time for them to build their foundation and to decide who they are as Millsaps runners," says Till. "They are ready to lead now."
And for Millsaps, it doesn't get much better then juniors Haley Brown and Sara Sacks as they have been the faces for Millsaps Cross Country the last two seasons. Brown returns after a stellar season where she finish in the top 20 four times last year.
Sacks returns after a tremendous year in both cross country and track and field and will serve as the team's captain this upcoming season.
Till feels with these two ladies as the leaders, the Majors can do big things.
"They are ready for it, I've never seen (Haley) with this much certainty in her running " explain Till. "(Sara) had a great year especially in track and field last season and trained very well this summer while putting no limits on herself which is phenomenal."
Meanwhile, the Majors also welcome back sophomore Melinda Soloman who put together a great freshman campaign, placing in the top 20 in four events and the top 10 in two.
"Melinda is a good one," adds Till. "She's learning to be purposeful in her training and that's going to take her to the next level."
The Majors also welcome back sophomore Mikaela Thurber and bring in newcomer Laney Lenox, a junior out of Shreveport, La.
As the season comes closer, Till is ready to see his team compete as he feels both team can compete for a championship.
"I think we can both finish top three," says Till. "I can't wait to see them perform."
The Major Men and Women open things up on August 31st at the Season Opener at Choctaw Trails.
