Bowling Green, Ky. - On November 7, the men's and women's cross country teams took the starting line for the final time for the 2025 season as they competed in the Mid-South Conference Championships in Bowling Green, Ky. at Phil Moore Park, with hopes of earning a bid to the NAIA National Championships.
The men's team started the day off at 10 am. After a season full of injuries and time off, Daniel Puckett (28:09, 25th) was the first finisher for the Lions. Seniors Bo Scott (28:40, 37th) and Blake Brown (28:54, 39th) were the next two finishers, with Barrett Poe (29:11, 39th) and Neal Rowlett (30:03, 46th) finishing out the scoring.Â
Shortly after the conclusion of the men's race, the women stepped up to the starting line. After a season of setting PRs and school records, Eliza Poe once again rose to the occasion and finished runner-up, with a time of 22:51!! Just behind her in fourth place was teammate Mary Pearce finishing with a time of 23:30! Concluding her career as a Lady Lion, Megan Lampley finished 24th in 25:47. Zola Dorris (27:50, 42nd) and Mackenzie Reames (29:46.3, 52nd) rounded out the scoring for the Lady Lions. The team finished with 92 points to get fourth place in the team's final race of the season.
Because of their top-four finish, Eliza Poe and Mary Pearce gained an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championships and will continue their season in Tallahassee, Fla. on November 21.