JACKSONVILLE – Jax State's men's and women's cross country teams took advantage of the coolest morning weather in over two months with an early workout on the first official day of the 2023 season.
 
Head coach Jeremy Provence had his squad out for an early morning run, and will do the same in the evening hours on Wednesday and most other days leading up to their Sept. 1 opening meet. Jax State begins the season with the annual Foothills Invitational taking place at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, and will turn around and host another event two weeks later in Huntsville, Ala., with the popular Southern Showcase.
 
With the transition into Conference USA, Provence feels his program is ready for the new challenge. The Gamecocks have just one newcomer this fall in freshman Lornah Kariuki on the women's team. The men's side is composed of 11 returners from a season ago.
 
"It was a good morning," said Provence. "It was a session that really kind of tested their strength to see where we are in that regards. I thought both sides did pretty well."

To keep up with the Gamecock cross country and track and field program, following the team on social media by searching @JaxStateXCTF.