CLEVELAND, Miss. – The Delta State University cross country team is set for the upcoming 2024 season with seven regular season meets on the schedule.
Beginning on Friday, Sept. 6 at the Mississippi College Opener, the Lady Statesmen will compete every weekend through the Watson Invitational on Oct. 18. The Gulf South Conference Championship is slated for Saturday, Oct. 26 in Valdosta, Ga.
| Race/Host |
Date | Time |
Location |
| Mississippi College Opener |
Sept. 6 | 6:45 p.m. |
Clinton, Miss. |
| Jacksonville State |
Sept. 13 | 8:30 a.m. |
Huntsville, Ala. |
| Rhodes College |
Sept. 21 | 8:45 a.m. |
Memphis, Tenn. |
| Blue Mountain |
Sept. 28 | 9 a.m. |
Blue Mountain, Miss. |
| Belhaven University |
Oct. 5 | 9:45 a.m. |
Clinton, Miss. |
| Alabama-Huntsville |
Oct. 12 | 8:50 a.m. |
Huntsville, Ala. |
| Watson Invitational |
Oct. 18 | 9 a.m. |
Clinton, Miss. |
| GSC Championship |
Oct. 26 | TBA |
Valdosta, Ga. |
Entering her fourth season as head coach of Delta State's cross country team, Britnee Smith is eager to get the 2024 season started. "We have a great group of girls. They've done everything I've asked to prepare for the upcoming season, and we are already seeing improvements in the second week."
Delta State's highest finish from last season was third place at Blue Mountain with 88 total points.
The Lady Statesmen lost only one to graduation and return Emma Haley,
Abby Covington, and
Anne Maree Crechale for their junior seasons. Haley, a 5-6 sophomore from Hernando, was the top runner for Delta State last season, as she placed first for DSU in five of the seven competitions. Her highest race finish was 17
th with a time of 22:17.56 at Blue Mountain, but her season-best time was 21:06.55 at Montevallo. Covington and Crechale return after competing in all seven races last season. Covington, a Saltillo native, recorded her season-best at Montevallo with a time of 21:46.69, while Clinton native, Crechale's best time was 21:43.10 at Alabama-Huntsville.
Madison McMillen was the only other top finisher for Delta State in meets at Alabama-Huntsville (242nd, 21:35.40) and the GSC Championship (79th, 21:42.00).
Two newcomers round out the 2024 roster:
Kayla Lofton from George County and
Mackenzie Mercer from Madison.
