HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Montevallo men's and women's cross country teams competed in the second meet of the 2024 season, racing at the Southern Showcase on Friday morning. The tough field consisted of multiple NCAA D1 teams, including Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisville, and Vanderbilt.

The men's 8k opened the day at John Hunt Park, with action starting at 9:00 a.m. The Falcons placed 30^th out of 47 teams. Alabama secured first place, while Belmont and Georgia Tech rounded out the top three. UM was the sixth-highest D2 team to finish, and the Falcons finished ahead of five D1 teams represented.

Joseph Pitard led the way for the Falcons and placed 149^th out of 454 runners with a time of 26:03.73. Nathaniel Loving was the next finisher for Montevallo, clocking in at 27:09.11. Josh Stidfole and Cameron Prosser finished at 27:20.01 and 27:25.74, respectively. Parker Hicks finished with a time of 28:09.07, and Owen Marquardt clocked in at 28:52.39. Keegan Rafferty rounded out the top seven for UM with a time of 30:22.93.

The women's 5k followed at 10:00 a.m. The Falcons placed 32^nd out of 49 teams. Alabama finished first, while Louisville and Georgia Tech rounded out the top three. UM was the fourth-highest D2 team to finish, and the Falcons finished ahead of a pair of D1 schools.

Natalie Warner led the way for the Falcons and placed 224^th out of 457 runners. Josie McDonald was the next finisher for Montevallo with a time of 20:03.74. Abby Snyder clocked in at 20:18.65, while Morgan Remley finished at 20:23.97. Reagan Oliver and Olivia Blackmon finished with times of 20:41.86 and 21.16.34, respectively. Sarah Turner rounded out the top seven for UM, clocking in at 21:27.68.

Montevallo returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 28, for the Michael Pretorius Invitational in Nashville, Tenn.