CLINTON, Miss. – Spring Hill College men's and women's cross country started their seasons at The Opener, hosted by Mississippi College, on Friday at Choctaw Trails.
 
The Badger men started off with a sixth-place finish in the men's 5K, scoring 224 points. They tied with Division-I Jackson State while finishing ahead of Alabama State and Mississippi Valley State. Charles Duggan led the team with a time of 17:43.50 that landed him in 53^rd place overall. Zachary Thomas clocked a personal-best time of 17:50.7 in his 57^th-place finish. Luke Burlison, Thomas Monier, Luke Mipro and Teotl Heredia finished 59^th, 77^th, 88^th and 97^th, respectively.
 
On the women's side, Evelyn Hererra led the Badger women with a 23^rd-place finish and a time of 21:17.50. Kerrigan Klevanosky, Ava Courtney and Allison Mangan finished 52^nd, 67^th and 71^st, respectively.  
 
Meet Details
Date: Sept. 6
Venue (Location): Choctaw Trails (Clinton, Miss.)
 
Results
Men's 5K
1. Mississippi College – 17
2. ULM – 53
3. William Carey – 75
4. Southern Arkansas – 103
5. Meridian CC – 162
6. Spring Hill – 224
7. Jackson State – 224
8. Belhaven – 245
9. Alabama State – 254
10. Xavier (La.) – 258
11. Mississippi Valley State – 324
12. Tougaloo – 330
13. Centenary (La.) – 403
14. Stillman – 404
15. Mississippi University for Women – 420
16. East Central – 428
 
Women's 5K
1. Mississippi College – 43
2. ULM – 60
3. Alabama State – 69
4. William Carey – 71
5. Southern Arkansas – 109
6. Millsaps – 170
7. Delta State – 188
8. Belhaven – 232
9. Mississippi University for Women – 241
10. Xavier (La.) – 245
 
 
They Said It – Head Coach Craig McVey
On the meet
"Considering rain before and during races, both teams had a great start. We competed really hard and well. We have so many new people, this was the first time they'd all raced together. The pieces are there, now we just have to fit them all together. Friday was a real solid beginning. Our men were sixth of 16 scoring teams, a really good effort. Our women ran four today and didn't team score, that will change real soon."
 
On the women's 5K
"Evelyn Hererra had a great race on a not great weather day. She opened with a time that is really solid for wet and sometimes muddy footing Friday. With rain before and during the race things slowed down, she's going to have a great season. Ava had one shoe come off during the race at the 2-mile mark due to the footing, then her other shoe, she raced barefoot for the last 1.1 miles, which is crazy tough. Friday was likely her guttiest race of her college career. Kerrigan had a great first race as a freshman and Allison is going to help us big time. This was her first cross country race ever, both are going to make some noise during the season. We'll be better one week at a time."
 
On the men's 5K
"The guys raced really well. Today was about competing, not times. We had two, new freshmen in our top three. Charles Duggan and Luke Burlison did a great job in their first collegiate races. Zach Thomas ran a solid first race. Likely those three will be part of a group of four racing together. That down the line can help us big time, especially in big meets. Thomas Monier will be joining them shortly."
 
Looking ahead
"Now we go back to work. Use what we learned Friday and use our next two weeks to improve and be ready for West Florida."
 
Up Next
The Badgers will compete in the Argonaut Invitational, hosted by West Florida, on Sept. 20.
 
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