MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The Montevallo Men's Cross Country team is set to start the 2022 season with a trip to Florence, Ala. to race in the University of North Alabama Invitational at 7:45 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10.
 
Saturday's race is the first of five regular season contests for the Falcons before the annual Falcon Classic on Sept. 16 at 8:00 am. Montevallo will then travel to Louisville, Ky. On Oct. 1 for the Greater Louisville Classic before returning the Birmingham, Ala. area to race in the Blazer Classic on Oct. 14. The Falcons then head to Huntsville, Ala. for the UAH Division II Festival Year Showcase hosted by the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
 
On Nov. 5, Montevallo will host the 2022 Gulf South Conference Championship with hopes to improve on the Falcons' fourth-place finish from a season ago.
 
"The GSC is getting stronger every year," said Head Coach Tommy Barksdale. "To have the chance to improve we will have to show up with our A-game at the conference championships. We have great personnel and runners that should give the team a chance to succeed. This year's championship will be exciting to watch."
 
The team returns four of the top-five finishers from the 2021 conference championship with Bill Archer, Joe Leventry, Joseph Pitard, and Drew Roberts coming back for another season.
 
"Returning 4 of your top 5 is always huge, however we return a lot more than just that," said Barksdale. "All of our returners understand what we have and they want to show everyone what we are capable of doing."
 
Leventry's 2021 season was highlighted by a First Team All-GSC selection after taking a fifth-place finish in the conference championship, a top-15 finish at the South Region Championship, and finally trip to the NCAA National Championship in Tampa, Fla.
 
"Joe brings leadership and experience," said Barksdale. "Whenever you have someone or a team to make it to the National Championships, it gets everyone on the team excited. He can help to guide the team as they try to achieve their goal of making the national championship."
 
This year will showcase four newcomers with Lane Busby, Stephen Jones, Zac Lamb and Josh Stidfole entering their first season for the Falcons.
 
"Our newcomers give us more depth," said Barksdale. "It's going to be interesting to see how they adapt to our training. I think they will perform at a high level."
 
Stay up to date with all things Montevallo Cross Country on social media at @xctf_montevallo and @xc_montevallo_tf and online at montevallofalcons.com.