Jax State set for First CUSA XC Championships on Saturday

Saturday, October 28

Bowling Green, Ky.

9 a.m.

Jacksonville State University

CUSA XC Championship

10/27/2023 12:29:00 PM | Cross Country, Women's Cross Country

Live Results 2023 Performance Book

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Jacksonville State cross country prepares for the first Conference USA championship event for the Gamecocks so far in 2023-24.

Head coach Jeremy Provence's squads have continued to improve through his first season at the helm of Jax State. A total of 12 Gamecocks have posted a new personal best time this fall in either a 5K, 6K or 8K race, not including true freshman Lornah Kariuki.

The Gamecocks enter the CUSA Championship weekend at a good time with several runners back after missing portions of the fall with injury. Jax State's pace is also at its best of the fall. Junior Bethelhem Manzano Jimeno and sophomore Jack Lowe lead the Gamecocks into the championship races at the reigning league's Athletes of the Week after each took individual titles last Friday in Florence.

During last weekend, nine Gamecocks turned in new PRs. Jimeno, Juliana Ballew, Sierra Wainer and Anna Strickland each scored new bests in the 6K event, which mirrors the distance of Saturday's CUSA championship. On the men's side, Lowe, Steele Joiner, Mason McMahon, JR Proctor and Tanner Rice set new standards for the 8K distance.

"The teams have improved a tremendous amount since August," explained Provence. "They are definitely as prepared as they have ever been for postseason competition. However, I'm most proud of the energy and excitement that we have going right now. I think they recognize the potential we have as a group and are enjoying the process more and more."

"The level of competition we face on Saturday is going to be very challenging. There will be a handful of individuals and possibly a team will qualify and compete at nationals this year."

The Gamecocks got a preview look at the championship course at Riverside Golf Course in Bowling Green, Ky., earlier this year on their way to different meet in the area. Despite the recent improments of personal times, Coach Provence believes Saturday's time will not be as fast due to the hilly nature of the championship course.

"I think there is an opportunity for our group to exceed preseason expectations. We will need to focus on ourselves and compete for positions, especially on the hills late in the race."

Jax State aims to secure low spots from its consistent leaders, while keeping the 3-5 groups tight as well, which Provence call the biggest improvement of the season so far.

The men's 8K race goes off at 9 a.m. from the starting line at Riverside Golf Course, followed by the women's 6K race at 10 a.m. Results and recaps will be available at JaxStateSports.com following the conclusion of the event.