JACKSON, Miss. – The Millsaps men's and women's cross country programs will look to continue improving as they welcome back 10 runners and say hello to four newcomers that could make an impact on the trails in the 2024 season.
The women's cross country program finished sixth in the 2023 SAA Cross Country Championship last season, but return six seniors.
Sarah Strickland and Fran Edwards should their times challenge the best across the conference again this year.
Strickland finished 25th in the SAA Cross Country Championship with a 6K time of 25 minutes, 35.4 seconds. The Spanish Fort, Ala., native also finished the Rhodes College Invitational in the top 50 with a 5K time of 21:47.9.
Classmate Fran Edwards will be returning to the pack as well where she placed 40th at the 2023 SAA meet. Her 6K time of 26:27.4 nearly bettered her mark set of 26:18.3 set two weeks prior at the Watson Collegiate Cross Country Classic.
Senior Tyler Hamby is another competitive runner making her way back to the trails. Last season Hamby appeared in five meets and placed 45th with a personal-best time of 27:12.0.
Other Major returners include seniors Caroline Eschete, Mackenzie Farris and Abby Henry as well as sophomore Elle Powers. The Majors are also adding a two-time high school cross-country qualifier in freshman Claudia Dempsey and classmate Laken Day.
Sophomore Greer Hernandez will be leading on the men's side, The dual-sport athlete for the Majors made an impressive run following his freshman campaign by becoming the first NCAA Division III All-region finisher in Millsaps men's cross country history. He finished 34th at the NCAA South Regional meet with an the 8K program record of 26:09.75. In his first SAA championship, the Broussard, La., product also placed 24th.
Other returners on the men's team include senior Patch Heard and sophomore Caden Birch.
Building the momentum from a veteran roster, the Majors also added freshman Phillip Antis, Aidan Brice, and senior Matthew Moore all heading into the right direction with the program.
The Majors are set to compete in four regular-season meets before postseason competition, beginning at the Mississippi College 5K Opener on the Choctaw Trails in Clinton on Friday, Sept. 6.
A pair of competitions will then take place on Saturdays, beginning with the Rhodes Invitational in Memphis, Tenn. on Sept. 21. After an off week, the Majors race again in Clinton at the Belhaven Invitational on Oct. 5.
The regular season concludes two weeks later at the Watson Collegiate Classic in Clinton on Friday, Oct. 18.
Postseason commences with the 2024 SAA Cross Country Championships, which will be hosted by Rhodes College in Memphis on Saturday, Nov. 2.
The top qualifiers will then advance to the 2024 NCAA Division III South Region Cross Country Championship, held at the Choctaw Trails on Saturday, Nov. 16.
A week later on Saturday, Nov. 23 sees the best of the very best compete at the 2024 NCAA Division III Cross Country Championship in Terre Haute, Ind.
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the Millsaps men's and women's cross country programs follow the Majors on X and Instagram, like Millsaps Majors Athletics on Facebook or visit gomajors.com.
