Cross Country Teams to Compete at Southeast Regionals

MARS HILL, N.C. – The Mars Hill men's and women's cross country teams will be in action on Saturday, November 5, traveling to Montevallo, Ala. to compete in the Southeast Regionals. Both teams are coming off stellar seasons and will look to continue the impressive run.

On the women's side, Kaleigh Jackson is the lone top-five returner for the Lions and is poised to guide ladies on Saturday. Rachel Strickland and Sydney Britt are also expected to turn in solid performances for the Blue and Gold. Other participants include Abbey Nichols, Andrea Wolfrey, and Kali Clemmer, all who have improved as the season has progressed.

"With only one returner in our Top 5 this year due to graduation it was definitely a season of transition.  Overall, we couldn't be more pleased with the accomplishments of this very young team.  We are definitely ready for the 6K course on Saturday", said head coach Mike Owens.

As for the men, senior Nathan Jones will be a huge part in the team's overall performance come Saturday. Jones is coming off one of the more impressive season in a Lions uniform. He was able to set the SAC record in the 8k race at Queens on October 7 and has collected three wins on the season.

Brandon Beard, Gil Gilreath, and Garrett Farrimond have all been catalysts for the men's team all year, coming off First Team All-SAC honors two weeks ago. Noah Allison and Nick Resor earned Second Team All-SAC and will compete for a chance to go to Nationals as well.

"Last week's SAC Championships was a great first step, but racing the 10K on Saturday is a whole different experience, especially for the freshmen as its double the high school race distance.  Our men have been training, literally since last May for this race and the competition at the Region level is intense.  With 36 teams competing and only three teams advancing to the National Championships it will take everything we have to give."

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