MONTEVALLO, Ala. – History has been made as both the men's and women's cross country teams of Mississippi College have, for only the second time since 2021 and in the program's storied history, qualified for the NCAA Division II National Cross Country Championships. Both teams clinched an impressive third place in team competition at the 2023 NCAA Division II South Region Championships, securing an automatic qualifier to the national meet.
The Lady Choctaws shone brightly as Lauren Wallace broke the 6K school record with a stunning time of 20:40.6. Wallace's remarkable performance not only earned her a runner-up overall finish but also marked her as the first-ever South Region runner-up in the women's program at Mississippi College. The women's team continued to set new benchmarks, shattering the 6K team average school record with an astonishing 21:17.
Jan Lukas Becker also left his mark as he became Mississippi College's first-ever back-to-back South Region Champion since Tony Farris in 1982-83, spearheading the men's team to their third-place finish. Becker defended his title with a commanding 29:27 in the 9.8K, a full 30 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor.
The accolades didn't stop there. The Choctaws boasted seven total athletes achieving All-South Region honors. On the women's side, Jazmin Russell (10th), Bre Bell (11th), and Emily Berry (19th) clinched top finishes. For the men, Braedon Methvin (5th) and Cole Benoit (17th) mirrored their teammates' success. Notably, Cole Benoit recorded the fastest last mile across the entire men's field.
The women's squad was solidly supported by Taylor Benoit (26th), Josie Whipp (33rd), and Norma Gutierrez(48th), while Cooper Parmer (33rd), Wyatt Whipp (34th), Preston Speed (40th) and Baxter Friedman (74th) rounded out the men's contingent, all contributing to the team's overall success.
As they look ahead, the Choctaw cross country squad sets their sights on the 2023 National Cross Country Championships scheduled for Saturday, November 18, in Joplin, Missouri. With their recent achievements propelling them, Mississippi College is poised for a competitive showcase at the national level.
