MONTEVALLO, Ala. --- The Mississippi College Men's Cross Country team made a statement at the 2022 UAB Blazer Classic.
With three in the top three, four in the top seven, and the entire scoring five inside the top 12, the Choctaws won the 2022 UAB Blazer Classic by 40 points. They defeated multiple NCAA Division I programs like Memphis University, North Alabama, Tennessee-Martin, Lipscomb, and Emory University, a top-tier NCAA Division III program.
Until Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, no Choctaw had ever broken 24 minutes in the 8K. The trio of Gabe Poulin, Jan Lukas Becker, and Hunter Kurz made history, crossing the line under the 24-minute barrier and sweeping the top three spots in the process.
Gabe Poulin stopped the clock in 23:54.7, marking him as the new 8K school record holder. With that performance, this is the third athlete in the same season that has broken the Mississippi College Men's 8K(XC) school record, showcasing the Choctaws' depth.
Jan Lukas Becker and Hunter Kurz were right behind the new school record holder, running 23:54.9 and 23:56.1, respectively.
Christian Balcer and Brock Kelly rounded out the scoring five in lifetime bests of 24:21.8 and 24:31.2. Balcer placed 7th while Kelly placed 12th.
The final statistic from this historic day for the Choctaws is that the scoring five average of 24:07.7 is not only the fastest average in Mississippi College men's Cross Country history but is eight seconds faster than the old school record of 24:15.9.
"What one sees when they look at the results from today is the sum of a bunch of selfless, but confident, decisions made by an incredible group of athletes. Every day at practice, our captains discuss the plans for the day, and we enthusiastically pursue those objectives. Today was an extension of that, just on a bigger stage.", quoted Head Cross Country coach Matthew Reneker when asked what his immediate thoughts were after perhaps the most historical day in Mississippi College Men's Cross Country history. "We are now about to enter the championship portion of our season, and I am excited about the future.
Seven Choctaws hit lifetime bests on the day:
Gabe Poulin - 23.54.7
Hunter Kurz - 23:56.1
Christan Balcer - 24:21.8
Brock Kelly - 24:31.2
Adam Gomez - 25:21.6
Preston Speed - 25:56.4
Hollis Johnson - 25:58.5
The men of Mississippi College have one more regular season meet, which will be held at Choctaw Trails on Saturday, Oct. 22, before they travel back to the University of Montevallo to race in the 2022 Gulf South Conference Cross Country Championships.
RESULTS: 2022 UAB Blazer Classic
