PINSON, Tenn. - The W cross country took the first steps of the 2026-27 athletics season by participating in the Freed-Hardeman University "Freed Speed" five-kilometer races on Saturday morning. The Owl women finished fifth and the men sixth.
The MUW women were once again led by senior
Hannah Owens. Owens posted a time of 22:10.3 for the 5K, finishing 14th in the field of 38 runners. It was Owens' 19th-straight meet – every event in her three-plus year career – as the Owls' top finisher.
MUW newcomer
Rachel Lochridge was the team's second placer in 29th place in a clocking of 27:23.8 minutes.
The trio of
Cassidy Talley, Ketu'rah Johynson, and
Alaina Mathis, occupied the Nos. 33-35 slots. Talley completed the course in 32:06.9, Johnson in 32:07.6, and Mathis at 33:37.4 minutes, to round out MUW's runners.
In the men's 5IK, it was junior returnee
Noel Kellum and freshman
Christian Chipilipili dueling it out to place 34th and 35th, respectively. Kellum hit the tape at 20:35.6 minutes, just 2/10ths of a second ahead of Chipilipili's time of 20:35.8.
A trio of freshman rounded out The W men's finishers.
Welton Davidson finished in 45th (23:22.8), followed by I'
Monn Hill in 47th (24:36.8), and
Trevor Davis in 48th (26:58.9).
