Gadsden State Cross Country fall 2024 update

Gadsden State's cross country's teams are preparing for their second meet of the season, as they'll compete Friday at the University of West Florida Argonaut Invitational in Pensacola, Fla.

Both Gadsden State teams competed recently at the 18th annual Jacksonville State Foothills Festival, held at Oxford's Choccolocco Park.

The Lady Cardinals placed 12th overall, registering the second-best finish among community college teams in the 5K. 

Freshman Alexis Renn, a Prattville native, had the best finish for Gadsden State, clocking in with a 20:38.14. She was 52nd overall.

Freshman Kaylee Tarpley was behind Renn with a 21:16.12.

Madeline Holt (21:29.50), Riley Matthews (24:00.39) and sophomore McKinley Kay (24:56.88) rounded out the Gadsden State field.

In the men's 5K, freshman Ryan Matthews, of Ashville, was Gadsden State's top runner, placing 64th overall with a 16:48.66.

Lane Self crossed the finish line next for Gadsden State, registering a 18:30.09. Travis Cooley was right on Self's heels, finishing with a 18:30.18.

DeShaun Foster (19:02.21), Conner Strawn (19:46.88) and Tyler Worley (22:11.47) also competed for Gadsden State.

Both Gadsden State teams began the season ranked in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II poll. The men were as high as 17th and the women as high as 19th.

"I'm very excited to see what this group can accomplish this year. We have a great group of experienced sophomores and talented freshmen across the board. Both teams competed at a high level last year, and I expect nothing less this year. I expect to see some records broken," said Gadsden State first-year cross country coach Jackson Millander, who was hired as the Head Coach after serving as the volunteer assistant coach in the previous season.