OXFORD, Ala. - The starter's pistol has fired and the inaugural seasons for the Northeast Mississippi Community College cross country programs are officially underway.
Both Northeast teams made their historic debut at the Foothills Invitational, which was hosted by Jacksonville State (Ala.) University on the 5K course at Choccolocco Park.
The Tigers checked in at 18th among a field that included 11 four-year institutions. The Lady Tigers placed 16th while competing against seven NCAA Division I universities.
However, Northeast's women did land inside the top five among the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) entrants. The Lady Tigers also bested in-state NCAA members Mississippi University for Women and Mississippi Valley State University.
"They were a little nervous, but they got out there and they showed out. Every last one of them," said Northeast head coach Aaron Hight. "I knew that they had it in them. One-to-five was a tight finish and that's what we were looking for."
Eva Null and Reagan George were the first Lady Tigers to cross the finish line. They both ended up in the top 100 individually with similar results of 22:46.42 and 23:00.69, respectively.
Briley Leslie was not far behind them at 23:32.90 while Ellie Pellizzer was just over a minute after her at 24:43.02. Rounding out the list of runners for Northeast was Neely Rorie at 26:05.96.
New Albany High School graduates Dawson Boyd and Isaac Vega paced each other closely to become the Tigers' first-ever finishers with close times of 18:41.62 and 18:58.56.
Adam Galloway gave Northeast a third sub-20 minute outcome at 19:56.87. Millsaps College transfer Sam Lamy came within 37 seconds of breaking his 5K personal best at the collegiate level with a 20:41.27.
Austin Hairrell and Ethan Nelms wrapped things up for the Tigers with times of 21:31.38 and 23:07.13. Both teams battled muggy conditions and narrowly avoided thunderstorms near the conclusion of the women's event.
"I think a couple of them came out too hot, but they didn't quit and kept fighting," Hight said. "Two of them knew what to expect, but the rest of them didn't know what they were getting into. Once they get more racing experience, they're going to be good to go."
Northeast returns to action on Saturday, September 7 at the UNA Invitational. The women's race begins at 7:45 a.m. with the men, who will advance to 8K in length, to follow at McFarland Park.