Mississippi State Cross Country Opens 2026 Season at Southern Showcase in Huntsville

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Mississippi State’s cross country team kicks off the 2026 season Friday morning at the Southern Showcase in Huntsville. The meet is scheduled to start at 8:10 a.m. Central Time.

The Bulldogs are returning to Huntsville after finishing second last year at the same meet, which was hosted by Jacksonville State. The team is sending 10 women to compete, including three making their collegiate debut.

Freshmen Larkin Johnson and Lilly Overby, along with international transfer Berit Janowitz, are among the newcomers in the lineup. Naomi Jepleting, who clocked a 16:46.78 on this course last year, posted the second-fastest women’s 5K time in MSU history and is expected to be the top runner this season. Jepleting finished inside the top 20 at last year’s South Region Championships and made the All-Region team.

Returning runners Brooklyn Quanz, Kaitlyn Burge, and Sophie Santucci are also competing at the Southern Showcase, where they all recorded personal bests previously. Other runners for Mississippi State include Milicent Kembio, Gabrielle Boulay, and Mallory Streetman.

For updates on the Bulldogs’ track and field programs, follow MSU on X, Facebook, and Instagram by searching “HailStateTF.”

Source: Original Article