BOONEVILLE, Miss. - Year number one for the Northeast Mississippi Community College cross country programs went just about as smoothly as possible.
Both teams represented the Magnolia State well at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) championship race in Virginia after claiming the inaugural region titles in the sport. The Lady Tigers were also honored as the academic national champions.
However, head coach Aaron Hight does not intend to rest on those laurels. His goal for their second season on the trails is to move the times of his Lady Tigers and Tigers closer to that of their local competitors.
"It was a great introductory year," he said. "We learned a whole lot. We got to experience what it's like putting a team together and go through a full season. We're continuing to put our brand out there. We're just trying to build."
Hight has already achieved part of his plan by expanding the numbers on his rosters. The Tigers are now nine deep, which is an increase of three from its initial season, while the Lady Tigers added one to get to six strong.
"We have been working on developing a deeper base for the runners trying to make sure they're ready for the rigors of the season," Hight said. "The runners are healthy and they look good. We've got more talent and we're deeper than last year."
One common trait from seasons one to two is that all 15 student-athletes graduated from high schools inside Northeast's traditional service area of Alcorn, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo and Union counties.
Northeast has six total returners that are split evenly between the two teams. That includes the recipients of the first-ever Tiger Awards for cross country in Eva Null (Kossuth) and Isaac Vega (New Albany).
The prestigious Tiger Award is presented at the end of each academic year to one individual from each athletic program at Northeast that consistently represents themselves and their respective team in a positive manner.
Null was the top finisher at all seven races, including the postseason, for the Lady Tigers during her freshman campaign. Vega's best 8K outcome last fall was a 30:21.4 at the UAH Chargers Invitational.
"I'm very, very thankful for them," said Hight. "You don't have to worry about any integrity issues. They're exemplary in how they practice and in the classroom too. They're vocal, committed and consistent. They're what you look for in a leader."
Adam Galloway (West Union), Briley Lesley (East Union), Ethan Nelms (Corinth) and Ellie Pellizzer (Alcorn Central) are the other sophomores for Northeast. Galloway and Nelms both clocked in right around the 35 minute mark at nationals last November.
Lesley saved her top 5K performance for last with a 22:39.2 at the NJCAA championship. Pellizzer recorded a season-best 23:57.3 at the UNA Invitational early last autumn.
Northeast signed three members of state championship teams from last year, including Sarah Kate Childs (Kossuth), Jonathan Sorcia (Corinth) and Ricky Venegas (Corinth). Childs finished third overall in the Class 3A race at 21:32.7 while Venegas came in seventh in the Class 5A event.
Two other newcomers secured Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 2A titles as sophomores in the East Union pair of David Comans and Sunshine Fulgham. They both placed inside the top 10 individually during their senior seasons.
Shelby Powell (West Union) completes the lineup for the Lady Tigers. The Tigers will also benefit from the additions of Bryce Marvel (Alcorn Central), Kaleb Thomas (Myrtle) and Ryder Warhurst (Alcorn Central).
Thomas posted a 5K time of 18:53.0 at the 2024 MHSAA Class 1A meet for an eighth place result. Warhurst was the Class 3A runner-up with a sensational 17:19.0 during his final prep campaign.
"They're able to push each other," Hight said. "We've got some speed in this group. They pack up really well when they run and they're very competitive against one another in practice. That's what makes them special."
Northeast approaches the starting line for the first time this year on Saturday, August 30 at the Memphis Twilight Classic. It all culminates for the Lady Tigers and Tigers when they contend for berths to nationals at the NJCAA Region 22 championship in late October.