HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - The Northeast Mississippi Community College cross country programs return to what has become a home away from home for its biggest race of the season.
The Lady Tigers and Tigers will compete at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 22 championships on Friday, October 24 at John Hunt Park.
The men's 8K competition begins at 8 a.m. bright and early with the women's 5K event taking place one hour later. The race is sponsored by the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC).
This is the third consecutive meet hosted at John Hunt Park that Northeast has participated in. The Lady Tigers and Tigers were previously at the On Twilight at PR'Ville in late September and the UAH Chargers Invitational earlier this month.
"We had like a dress rehearsal two weeks ago," said Northeast head coach Aaron Hight. "Familiarity is huge when you know you're going to race it.
"As far as the layout and the terrain goes, it's simple to navigate. It's not a technical course. There's a consistency to the ground they're running on. They feel comfortable running on that."
The Lady Tigers and Tigers have both pieced together consistent results throughout the year. Ryder Warhurst has led the men in every single race while Sunshine Fulgham was the women's top finisher in all but one contest.
Fulgham recorded a personal-best 21:14.3 in the 5K at the season-opening City Auto Memphis Twilight Classic. Her top 6K time was a 25:40.1 at the University of Tennessee Southern's Firehawk Invitational.
Warhurst posted a 27:43.1 at the Freed-Speed Invitational for a fifth-place finish. It was the first top five result at a regular season meet in school history.
Eva Null is nearing the end of an exceptional sophomore campaign that featured two 22-minute 5K times. Bryce Marvel has emerged down the stretch for the Tigers as well.
"We're much improved from last year," Hight said. "I'm very proud of them. I'm just hoping they'll put it all together. I'm anxious to see where they all land."
Qualifiers from regionals will advance to the NJCAA national championship, which will be held on November 8th in Fort Dodge, Iowa, at Lakeside Golf Course.