Joseph Snyder enters his third year as Head Coach of the Mississippi Christian University Cross Country and Track & Field programs after assuming the head coaching role during the 2024 outdoor season. Snyder originally joined the program in 2021 as the throws coach before being promoted to oversee the entire program.
Since taking over as head coach, Snyder has guided Mississippi Christian University to unprecedented success, leading the Choctaws to conference championships, NCAA Championship appearances, school-record performances, and national recognition across cross country and track & field.
Head Coaching Success
2025 Cross Country
The 2025 cross country season marked one of the program's strongest years in school history.
- Women's Gulf South Conference Champions
- Men's team finished 3rd at the Gulf South Conference Championships
- Lauren Wallace captured the NCAA Division II South Region Championship and qualified for the NCAA National Championships.
- Taylor Benoit qualified individually for the NCAA National Championships.
- Matthew Singletary earned All-South Region honors.
2025-26 Indoor & Outdoor Track and Field
Under Snyder's leadership, Mississippi Christian University produced one of the finest seasons in program history.
Season Highlights
- 18 School Records
- 17 Gulf South Conference Event Champions
- 9 Gulf South Conference Championship Records
- 53 All-GSC Honors
- 69 All-South Region Honors
- 10 NCAA National Qualifiers
- 8 NCAA All-Americans
- 5 Gulf South Conference Athlete of the Year Awards
Indoor Season
The Choctaws finished 3rd in both the men's and women's team standings while producing:
- 9 GSC Event Champions
- 5 GSC Championship Records
- 8 School Records
Major conference honors included:
- Jake McMillan
- GSC Most Outstanding Freshman of the Meet
- GSC Most Outstanding Overall Performer
- GSC Field Athlete of the Year
School records included performances by:
- Gabe Hodson – 800m
- Tristan Jusino-Lansing – 60m Hurdles
- Schyler Chambers – Triple Jump
- James Miller – Weight Throw
- Jake McMillan – Heptathlon
- Lauren Wallace – Mile
- Bre Bell – 3000m
- Mallory Dial – High Jump
The program earned 37 Indoor All-South Region honors.
Three athletes qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships:
- Gabe Hodson (800m) – All-American
- Lauren Wallace (Mile) – All-American
- Schyler Chambers (Triple Jump)
Outdoor Season
Mississippi Christian University again finished 3rd in both the men's and women's team standings while recording:
- 10 School Records
- 8 GSC Event Champions
- Multiple conference record performances
- 32 Outdoor All-GSC selections
- 32 Outdoor All-South Region honors
Conference honors included:
- Gabe Hodson – GSC Track Athlete of the Year
- Jake McMillan – GSC Field Athlete of the Year
- Tristan Jusino-Lansing – GSC Freshman of the Year
- Tristan Jusino-Lansing – GSC Most Outstanding Freshman Performer
- Rebekah Zweerink – GSC Women's Field Athlete of the Year
Seven athletes qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships, including:
- Gabe Hodson (800m)
- Brodie Roberts (100m)
- Christian Balcer (1500m)
- Jake McMillan (Decathlon)
- Schyler Chambers (Triple Jump)
- Lauren Wallace (1500m)
- Bre Bell (3000m Steeplechase)
The season produced multiple NCAA All-Americans, highlighted by Bre Bell, Gabe Hodson, and Lauren Wallace.
2024-25 Season
During Snyder's first full year leading the program, Mississippi Christian University continued its upward trajectory.
Cross Country
- Men's team qualified for the NCAA Division II National Championships.
- Men's team finished 3rd at both the Gulf South Conference Championships and NCAA South Regional.
- Women's team finished 3rd at the Gulf South Conference Championships.
- Taylor Benoit qualified individually for the NCAA National Championships.
Track & Field
The Choctaws produced:
- 6 School Records
- 11 Gulf South Conference Champions
- 30 All-GSC Honors
- 33 All-South Region Honors
- 5 NCAA National Qualifiers
Conference champions included:
Indoor
- Bryan Puckett (Shot Put)
- James Miller (Weight Throw)
- DJ Daniels (Long Jump)
- Men's 4x400 Relay
- Hilary Udechukwu (400m)
Outdoor
- Oliver Ollesch (400m Hurdles)
- James Miller (Hammer Throw)
- Matt Coleman (Javelin)
- Men's 4x400 Relay
- Hilary Udechukwu (400m Hurdles)
- Madison Flugence (Long Jump)
Oliver Ollesch was named Gulf South Conference Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year.
2024 Outdoor Season
Snyder assumed the role of head coach during the outdoor season and immediately led the Choctaws to one of the best campaigns in program history.
Highlights included:
- 10 School Records
- 5 Gulf South Conference Champions
- 23 All-GSC Honors
- 26 All-South Region Honors
- 7 NCAA National Qualifiers
- 8 NCAA All-Americans
Conference champions included:
- Niklas Klei – 400m
- James Miller – Hammer Throw
- Matt Coleman – Javelin
- Men's 4x400 Relay
- Nicole Morris – Women's Shot Put
Niklas Klei earned Gulf South Conference Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year, while Grayson Foster was named Gulf South Conference Outdoor Freshman of the Year.
Throws Coach Success (2021-2024)
Before becoming head coach, Snyder established Mississippi Christian University as one of the premier throwing programs in NCAA Division II.
Over three seasons directing the throws group, his athletes produced:
- 19 Throws School Records
- 11 Gulf South Conference Champions
- 24 All-GSC Honors
- More than 275 points scored by throwers at GSC Championships
- 52 All-South Region selections
- Multiple NCAA National Championship provisional qualifiers
His athletes earned numerous conference honors, including:
- Al Ferrill
- GSC Indoor Field Athlete of the Year
- GSC Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year
- South Region Indoor Field Athlete of the Year
- Essence Tornabene
- GSC Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year
Since becoming head coach, Snyder has continued overseeing the throws program while maintaining its tradition of excellence.
From 2024-26, the throws group added:
- 7 additional school records
- 7 Gulf South Conference Champions
- 20 All-GSC honors
- 249 points scored at the Gulf South Conference Championships
- 24 All-South Region honors
- Multiple NCAA provisional qualifiers
The 2026 season was highlighted by:
- Jake Keesee setting a Gulf South Conference record in the Hammer Throw.
- Rebekah Zweerink earning South Region Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year honors.
- NCAA provisional qualifiers Matthew Coleman (Javelin), Jake Keesee (Hammer), and James Miller (Weight Throw).
Under Snyder's leadership, Mississippi Christian University has established itself as one of the Gulf South Conference's premier programs, consistently producing conference champions, All-Americans, NCAA qualifiers, school records, and nationally competitive student-athletes across cross country, track & field, and the throwing events.
