CLINTON, Miss. — The Mississippi College women's cross country team secured a strong third-place finish at the Gulf South Conference Championships on Saturday morning at Choctaw Trails. The Lady Choctaws tallied 104 points, finishing behind Lee University and Alabama-Huntsville.

Junior Taylor Benoit led the charge for Mississippi College, finishing sixth overall with a time of 22:14.40. Freshman Kathryn Finch followed closely in 14th place, completing the course in 23:01.50. Both runners played key roles in the team's performance, showcasing their competitive spirit against a field of strong opponents.

Lee University dominated the race, placing five runners in the top five and finishing with a total score of just 15 points. Alabama-Huntsville claimed second place with 72 points, supported by solid performances throughout their lineup.

Other notable finishes for the Lady Choctaws included freshman Kinley Harris in 18th place (23:32.30) and junior Ava Wardlaw in 32nd (24:27.00), contributing to the team's overall scoring effort.

The Mississippi College women's cross country team will now prepare for the upcoming regional meet, aiming to capitalize on their momentum and improve their standings in the next competition.