Choctaws Men’s Cross Country finishes Third at UAH Invite

Photo by: Claire Stokes

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The Mississippi College men’s cross country team opened the 2020 campaign with a third place finish at the UAH Chargers Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 19.
Five of the seven Choctaws posted collegiate bests in the 8K race. The team recorded the fastest team average since the 2018 Gulf South Conference Championship with a 25:41. The average bested the previous mark of 25:45.

“Incredible leadership early in the race from our upperclassmen and incredible heart from the whole team in the end,” said head coach Matthew Reneker. “The entire roster knows there’s a lot of work ahead of us, we are excited for the challenge. We know that we are one of the lucky sports to represent Mississippi College this fall, we carry that weight proudly.”

Evan del Rio led the Navy and Gold with a time of 24:38.24 – a collegiate best. The Huntsville, Texas, junior finished fourth at the meet.

Fellow junior Gabe Poulin was the second-leading runner for the Choctaws as he finished 24th overall with a time of 25:39.46. Sophomore Cole Benoit posted a collegiate best of 26:01.26 as he finished 32rd at the meet. Freshman Brock Kelly notched a time of 26:02.78 in 33rd.

Senior Jake Russell finished just behind Kelly with a collegiate-high, 8K time of 26:04.99. Freshman Caleb Hall took 42nd in his first collegiate race with a time of 26:30.65. Senior Alec Beers rounded out the top seven runners for MC with a time of 26:32.01 in 43rd.

UAH and Lee University took the top two team slots. LU’s Christian Noble claimed the top individual honor with a time of 23:51.07 while the Chargers’ Jay Day edged del Rio for third with a 24:32.76. Ryan Ford took second 23:54.70.

Following Saturday’s, season-opening slate, Mississippi College returns to the course on Friday, Oct. 9 as it travels to Owensboro, Ky., for the Kentucky Wesleyan University-hosted Fast Cats Classic.

Written By: Kyle Lewis – Assistant Sports Information Director