CLINTON, Miss. - The Belhaven Cross Country program opened up their 2024 campaign on Friday at the Mississippi College Season Opener and the Belhaven Men and Women posted strong finishes in the event which featured teams across all three NCAA Divisions as well as NAIA and Junior College programs.

The Blazers' Men placed 8th of 16 teams on the day and were led by Theodore McCarty who turned in a time of 17:49.90, good for 55th among 134 competitors. Garrett Masters was close behind McCarty, placing 57th overall with a time of 17:51.40.

In his first run for the Blazers, Bailey Loomis placed 75th with a strong time of 18:47.70 while Andrew Duckworth finished 86th at a time of 19:52.10.

For the Belhaven Women, it was an 8th place finish as well among a field of 10 teams. Freshman JoAnna Cornette led the way for the Blazers in her first career run, posting a time of 22:55.30 which put her 41st among 89 competitors.

Ashley Davidson was close behind Cornette placing 47th among individuals with a time of 23:53.60 while Myisha Turner and Natalie Black finished in 64th and 65th respectively.

The run at Mississippi College represents a strong start to the new campaign for the Blazers who are looking to continue the program's growth after a strong end to 2023. 

The Blazers return to competition on September 21 as they travel to Memphis, Tennessee to compete in the Rhodes Invitational.

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