TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Spring Hill College men's and women's cross country teams opened the 2026 season Friday night at the HOKA Nights of Thunder XC Run Fest at Apalachee Regional Park.

The meet marked the first night race in program history for both Badger squads, with recent rain creating muddy footing in portions of the course.

The women's team competed in the 5,000-meter race, with Kerrigan Klevanosky leading Spring Hill with a 43rd-place finish in 24:50.9. Alexa Manuel followed in 47th at 25:22.4, while freshman Leia Mayeux finished 59th in 27:30.1.

"Kerrigan had a solid first race of the season," head coach Craig McVey said. "This was the first college XC race for Alexa and Leia. All are set for huge progress and can't wait to race again."

McVey said the women had a strong start despite several runners being held out of the opener.

"Our women had a solid first race," McVey said. "We held some people out who should be ready to go on Sept. 18."

The Spring Hill men finished third of eight teams in the 8,000-meter race with 77 points.

Freshman Ian Brown led the Badgers in his collegiate debut, finishing second overall in 27:50.5.

"Ian Brown had an amazing first college race!" McVey said. "His second place finish was a great start to what should be an exciting XC season."

Larrson Calhoun also turned in a strong first race for the Badgers, placing 11th in 29:13.2.

"Larrson Calhoun had a great first race for us," McVey said. "Look out. He's about ready to go off the chart."

Freshman Charles Blackwell made his collegiate debut with a 16th-place finish in 29:39.7.

"Charles Blackwell also had a great first college race," McVey said. "He'll race much faster soon."

Luke Burlison finished 33rd in 31:35.2, with Grant Holder rounding out the Badgers' scoring five in 35th at 32:00.5. Erik Lindmark finished 45th in 32:57.8, followed by Teotl Heredia in 59th at 34:18.4 and Tripp Campbell in 68th at 35:55.4.

With a roster featuring many newcomers, McVey said the opening meet was more about competing than focusing on times, particularly given the course conditions.

"The guys raced really hard," McVey said. "Today was about competing, not times, especially on the type of day we had."

McVey also pointed to the youth of the men's roster following its first race together.

"Our men's roster is basically new," McVey said. "Team-wide we had sound first races with great anticipation for our next time out on Sept. 18."

The season opener also gave both teams an opportunity to evaluate their fitness, pacing and ability to navigate difficult portions of the course.

"This was the first ever night race for our programs," McVey said. "That's historic in itself."

McVey said the weather and course conditions provided an additional challenge for the Badgers.

"Considering the muddy footing in places due to a lot of recent rain and humidity, both teams had a solid start," McVey said. "We competed really hard."

With many new runners on both rosters, McVey said the meet provided an important early opportunity for the teams to race together.

"We have a lot of new people," McVey said. "So this was the first time they'd all raced together both women and men."

McVey said the meet also served as an early-season measuring stick for the Badgers.

"It was a good first meet," McVey said. "Gauging if your fitness level is where you thought it was, working pace, and concentrating when it was more difficult during the race in navigating some really muddy areas."

The Badgers will return to action Sept. 18 at the Montevallo Falcon Classic in Montevallo, Ala.

"Time to use what we learned in our first race," McVey said. "And be ready for Sept. 18 in Montevallo."