Belhaven University

Jackson, MS-The 2008 season was a learning experience for both the Men’s and the Women’s Cross Country teams. The teams opened the season at the Mississippi College opener with the men finishing 6th out of six teams. The Lady Blazers finished in fifth place out of six teams. Belhaven went on to compete in the Delta State University meet as the men placed fifth out of six teams while the women ended up taking fourth out of seven teams.

From there, Belhaven took part in the Rhodes College Invitational with the men finishing 11th out of twelve teams. However, the women placed in the middle of the pack coming in seventh out of 15 teams. It was then on to the Jackson State Invitational where the women had their best showing of the season taking third place out of eight teams and finished ahead of cross town rival Millsaps. In the same meet, the men’s team ended up placing fourth out of six teams.

At the Mississippi College invitational Belhaven claimed six place out of eight teams on the men’s side while the women registered a fourth place finish out of seven teams. Despite some challenges, the experience gained by this year’s team should pay dividends next fall.

Some of those dividends paid off at the end of this season with three Lady Blazers qualifying for the NAIA National meet. Christie Barber, Libby Brown, and Jessica Gunning all qualified via their times at the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference meet November 8th. Barber finished third overall with a time of 20:33.07 in the 5 k race. Brown checked in with a time of 21:17.74 which was good for 7th place overall. Gunning recorded at 9th place finish with an overall time of 21:39.10.

At the National meet, Senior Christie Barber was Belhaven’s top finisher crossing the line with a total time of 20:08 minutes to finish in the 242nd position. Senior Jessica Gunning had a time of 21:01 to place 291st in Saturday’s meet. Sophomore Libby Brown checked in with a total time of 21:31 minutes to complete the race in the 327th position.

Head Coach Christie Barber say’s “The men's XC team will return 5 of its strongest runners in fall 09, including sophomore (09) Thomas Kazery who led the men's team in 08. The men should be contenders for the conference championship as they build on last year's foundation.” Coach Barber goes on to say the women's program enjoyed it's most competitive season to date this past fall and will look to improve. We are losing Seniors Jessica Gunning and Christie Barber, but expect great things from five returners and fresh talent.” 

Belhaven College is a member of the NAIA, Gulf Coast Athletic Conference, and Mid-South Conference and sponsors 13 intercollegiate sports.