Millsaps Cross Country Debuts Strong at MCU 5K Opener

Clinton, Miss. — Millsaps College opened its 2026 cross country season Friday at the Mississippi Christian University 5K Opener, held at Choctaw Trails. The event featured the debut of 10 freshmen and was led by returning juniors Greer Hernandez and Claudia Dempsey.

Hernandez posted a personal best with a time of 16 minutes, 22.3 seconds, finishing 31st. Dempsey finished 50th in 23:16.2. Both runners helped the Majors finish seventh out of 11 teams, which included NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, as well as NAIA and JUCO programs.

Several other Millsaps runners made their collegiate debut. Benjamin Sylve finished 54th in 17:37.2, while Kameron Wilson (60th; 17:51.4), Ethan Hall (62nd; 18:02.0), and R.T. Tate (63rd; 18:03.1) also competed for the team. On the women’s side, newcomers Marlina Jones (63rd; 25:15.0), Caitlyn Bounds (64th; 25:20.2), and Myla Walker (27:28.9) joined Dempsey in scoring. Lila Jane Sekinger finished 53rd in 23:28.9, and Taylor Sutton battled side cramps to finish 79th in 29:45.1.

The men’s team finished with 175 points, behind Mississippi College and ULM, while the women’s team scored 268 points, trailing ULM and Mississippi College. The Majors will return to competition on Sept. 18 at the Southern Showcase hosted by Jacksonville State University in Huntsville, Alabama.

For updates on Millsaps cross country, fans are encouraged to follow the program on X and Instagram, like Millsaps Majors Athletics on Facebook, or visit gomajors.com. Millsaps College, founded in 1890 in Jackson, Mississippi, is a private liberal arts institution recognized for academic excellence and community engagement.

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