NEW ORLEANS --- The Mississippi College men and women's cross country programs continue to add to the impressive 2021 campaign as eight student-athletes were granted United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-South Region accolades on Monday, Nov. 8.
 
The two programs notched third-place finishes this past weekend in the NCAA Division II South Regional and earned NCAA National Championship bids with their performances. It marks the first nationals' berth for the women's program in school history.
 
Hunter Kurz, Christian Balcer, Gabe Poulin and Brock Kelly represented the men's team on the list while Jazmin Hernandez, Josie Whipp, Madeline Campbell and Emily Berry claimed honors on the women's side.
 
Kurz and Hernandez were the top finishers for the Choctaws in their respected races. Hernandez finished sixth in the women's 6K with a time of 22:27.17. Kurz turned in a ninth-place finish with a time of 32:22.78 in the men's 10K.
 
Josie Whipp finished 14th with a time of 22:52.02 while Campbell clocked a time of 23:08.06 with a 18th-place finish. Berry finished 23rd with a time of 23:22.40.
 
Balcer joined Kurz as a top 15 finisher on the men's side as he finished 13th with a time of 32:32.45. Poulin finished just outside the top 20 in 21st as he posted a time of 32:42.05. Kelly rounded out the quartet as he notched a time of 32:50.61 in 24th place.
 
The eight honorees earned the distinction of all-region by virtue of a top-25 finish at the South Regional. Only athletes from USTFCCCA member programs are eligible for awards. A total of 200 men from 81 different programs around the nation and 200 women from 94 different programs earned the acknowledgement.
 
The 2021 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships on Saturday, Nov. 20 in Saint Leo, Fla.