CLINTON, Miss. — Mississippi Christian cross country is set to open the 2026 campaign Friday night, hosting The Opener at Choctaw Trails.

The Choctaws will get their first opportunity to compete this fall on their home course, with the men's 5K scheduled for 6 p.m. followed by the women's 5K at 6:40 p.m. The annual season opener will welcome programs from across the region to Clinton for the first test of the new campaign. Both squads enter Friday night as defending team champions after sweeping the men's and women's titles at The Opener a year ago. 

Mississippi Christian enters the season with several proven returners leading the way. On the men's side, Matthew Singletary and Baxter Friedman were both named to the Gulf South Conference Runners to Watch list entering 2026. Singletary returns following an All-South Region campaign a year ago, while Friedman earned Second Team All-GSC honors.

The Lady Choctaws will be led by a strong group of returners as they begin their defense of the program's first Gulf South Conference championship. Kinley Harris, Audrey Mayatte and Catherine Wallace were each named GSC Runners to Watch ahead of the 2026 season and headline an experienced returning group.

Friday night will also mark the collegiate debut for several newcomers as Mississippi Christian gets its first look at a roster that blends returning postseason experience with a talented incoming class.

The Opener serves as the first of three opportunities for the Choctaws to compete at Choctaw Trails this fall. Mississippi Christian returns home for the Belhaven Cross Country Invitational on Oct. 3 before hosting the Watson Cross Country Classic on Oct. 16.

Additional information regarding Friday's meet, including race schedules, course maps, parking information and spectator details, can be found below:

Home Meet Information