The Murray State cross country teams traveled to Southeast Missouri State University on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, to kick-start their season. Unlike most collegiate races that hold a men’s 8,000-meter race and a women’s 6,000-meter race, the Redhawk Invitational is set on a 5,000-meter course. 

“It is common for a season opener to have a shorter race distance,” said Jordan Johnston, an assistant coach returning for her seventh season under head coach Adam Kiesler. “We use the season opener meet as a check-in point to see how our training has gone over the summer.”

The women’s team claimed a strong third-place finish, falling directly under two other Missouri Valley Conference teams. Freshman Liz Smith found her footing on the 5,000 course, placing third overall with a time of 18:41. Freshman Autumn Engleston and junior Jocelyn Host crossed the finish line less than 30 seconds after Smith, placing 12th and 14th respectively. Breanna Day, who will be entering her fourth season as a Racer, solidified a third top-20 finish with a time of 19:13. 

The men’s cross country team came together to lock in a fourth-place finish, with three of their members placing in the top 20. 

“We have such a solid group of men that train together and are interchangeable given the day,” Johnston said. “Even the freshmen have jumped right into the mix and will be battling for a top spot.”

Her words rang true as returning sophomore Gabe Russell led the Racers in a 13th-place finish, with freshman Nick Schmitz only seven seconds behind him claiming 16th place. Kentucky native and freshman Dylan Ellis secured a third top-20 spot, which clocked a 16:40 5k. 

The Racers are scheduled to compete next at the University of Tennessee at Martin Invitational in Union City, Tennessee on Sept. 14th.