MCC Cross Country Set to Open 2015 Season

Meridian,MS – MCC will open its 2015 cross country season Saturday evening as they travel to Memphis for the largest collegiate cross country meet at night in the Memphis Twilight hosted by Christian Brothers University.

MCC will compete against the likes of Alabama, Arkansas State, Memphis, Mississippi State and Ole Miss.  The women will compete on a 5k course, while the men will compete on a 4 mile course.

“This is a meet for us to get our feet wet and to really see where we are training wise on a fast course,” said Head Coach Chip Gayden. “We aren’t so much worried about where you finish this race, but what you finish in time wise and how you have improved on what you did last year.”

MCC returns four sophomores on the men’s side which includes Josh Austin, William Griffin, Djano Sedrick and Tyler Warren.  MCC will see the debut of four freshmen to their roster in Rogelio Araiza, Dustin Darby, Tim Hoodlebrink and Daryl Jones.

On the women’s side, Esmeralda Rodriguez will return to action after missing all of the indoor and outdoor season due to injury.  Last cross country season Rodriguez was a consisted top 25 finisher in races, and Coach Gayden is excited to see her back.

“For Esmeralda, she is competitive, she and I are excited to see her compete Saturday and believe she will do really well, especially on a course that she is familiar with.”

The women will run at 9:15 p.m. Saturday evening and the men will compete at 10:00 p.m. at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex in Memphis, TN.