JACKSON, Miss. – Belhaven University and the National Christian College Athletic Association are pleased to announce that Belhaven University has been selected as the host institution for the 2016 and 2017 Divisions I & II Men's & Women's Cross Country Championships.

The events will be conducted at Watson Cross Country Course, more commonly known as Choctaw Trails, in nearby Clinton, Mississippi.   The course is a mix of rolling hills and wooded trail, and it has a reputation of being one of the top courses in the country.

"After a great series of events at Houghton College in New York, we are excited about the move to Jackson, Mississippi, and this partnership with Belhaven University," stated Dan Wood, NCCAA Executive Director. "Choctaw Trails has such an outstanding history and our student-athletes will be challenged as they compete for the 36th and 37th Cross Country Championship titles," added Wood.

The events will be conducted November 12, 2016 and November 11, 2017.  Included in each weekend's activities will be Christian Service Projects (CSPs).  These are service activities in which NCCAA teams will benefit the local Jackson, Mississippi area.

The two-year commitment will be Belhaven's first opportunity to host an NCCAA Championship.

Scott Little, Vice President for Athletics & Student Life at Belhaven, shared, "NCCAA student-athletes from across the nation will thoroughly enjoy their competitive experience at Choctaw Trails, a course as well designed as any in the country.  We're honored to have been selected to host and look forward to November 2016."

Men's & Women's Head Cross Coach, Christie Barber, added, "We are so excited to host these championships and intend that they will be the best! I am happy that Belhaven has joined this Christ-honoring organization, and look forward to these next two years of partnering with the NCCAA to host these national meets."

Headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, the NCCAA strives to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ through its 25 National Championships and Invitationals.  For more information on the NCCAA, contact the NCCAA National Office at (864) 250-1199 or visit www.thenccaa.org.

The Belhaven University Athletics Department leads student-athletes to compete in their respective sports on both conference and national levels, as well as leading student-athletes to mature academically, spiritually, emotionally and relationally as men and women created to honor and enjoy Christ. The Belhaven Athletics Department is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the American Southwest Conference (ASC) and the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA).