JOPLIN, Missouri --- In a showcase of grit and determination, the Mississippi College men's and women's cross country teams delivered stellar performances at the NCAA Nationals in Joplin, Missouri, as the Choctaws season came to a close on Saturday.
Head Coach Matthew Reneker expressed his pride in the team's accomplishments, emphasizing the tremendous support from over 100 dedicated fans who made the journey to the heart of the United States. "How can I not be proud today of the 100 plus supporters that traveled to the center of the United States to support their champions," Coach Reneker exclaimed. "Just making it was never the goal! The goal was to arrive and to represent what a family can do when they work hard under a common goal, and I am so excited that we can travel home with our heads held high. We had our goals, and now it's time to raise the stakes, shoot for bigger and better things. Coaching staff and the captains of the cross country programs are so thankful for the support that we have had all season."
On the women's side, Mississippi College secured a commendable 24th-place finish, marking the second-highest team finish in the program's history. The team achieved the second-best average for the 6k distance, with this performance surpassing their previous best just two weeks ago at the South Regionals. Notably, it was only the second time in program history that the women's team averaged under 22 minutes, a remarkable milestone led by standout runner Lauren Wallace.
The men's team mirrored this success, finishing 20th overall and surpassing their predicted 22nd-place ranking. Headlining the men's achievements was Jan Lukas Becker, who not only broke the school record for the 10K with an impressive time of 29:27 but also secured a historic 7th-place individual finish at nationals, the highest in program history. The men's team also achieved their second-highest team finish in program history.
As the final echoes of the NCAA Nationals in Joplin, Missouri fade away, the Mississippi College cross country teams conclude a season of remarkable achievements. With the season now coming to a close, the athletes and coaching staff of Mississippi College's cross country programs can reflect on their accomplishments with pride, knowing they've left an indelible mark on the program's history and set the stage for even greater achievements in the seasons to come.
