Written by Cianna Jay // Graphic by Wagner Valdez
The men’s and women’s cross-country teams kicked off the season at the Memphis Twilight Classic on Sept. 3, an event run at night to avoid the heat.
Freshman Noah Halieab was the Bisons’ top finisher, placing 14th in the four-mile race. Senior Nieves Megias led the Lady Bisons, placing 22nd in the 5K. The Bisons placed fifth of nine teams with 113 points while the Lady Bisons placed sixth of 13 teams with 169 points.
Head cross-country and track coach Don Hood said this is typically a big event, with Division I, II and III schools present.
“It’s a really good measuring stick,” Hood said. “The course is very flat and very competitive. So, just an opportunity to kind of see where our fitness level is opening the year. I kind of like opening up on a flat [course].”
Freshman Tucker Allen said he enjoyed the race because of the encouraging atmosphere and familiar terrain, despite its challenges.
“You know, this is…sort of like my home course since I’m from Tennessee, so I’m pretty familiar with it, and it was fun,” Allen said. “It was pretty crazy because there’s lots of people there and lots of people cheering us on and a great atmosphere for the race.”
Allen also commented on the team’s performance.
“Our top five was really strong,” Allen said. “We look really good, and I think we’re going to be a lot better towards the end of the season.”
Freshman Audri Aaron said she feels prepared for this season and spoke on Hood’s coaching.
“Coach Hood is an amazing coach,” Aaron said. “He’s really understanding, and he helps us get better.”
Aaron also described her experience being welcomed into the team as a freshman.
“Our first time with [the team], we actually got adopted by some of the seniors,” Aaron said. “It was really fun. And so we hang out with each other like every day in the [cafeteria] and it’s just like a tight family bond.”
Hood said there are a lot of freshmen on the Lady Bisons team, and a mixture of newcomers and returners on the Bisons, but the workouts have been good and both teams have a chance of doing well this season.
“We lost some good people on both our men’s and women’s teams last year,” Hood said. “We also recruited some very good people to come in. So I’m really excited to see how that all kind of meshes. But I think we have a chance to challenge for our conference championship and compete at a pretty high level.”
