MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The Montevallo Cross Country teams are set to open the season on Friday, Sept. 5, as the Falcons compete at the UNA Invitational in Florence, Ala.

Montevallo will compete in four regular season meets, which includes the annual Falcon Classic on Friday, Sept. 12. The Gulf South Conference Championships will take place on Saturday, Oct. 25 in Memphis, Tenn., while the NCAA DII South Regional Championships are set to take place on Saturday, Nov. 8 in Lakeland, Fla.

"We have a smaller team this year on both sides, and we want to keep that closeness together so we have a little bit of a different schedule," said Head Coach Tommy Barksdale. "We want to keep meets close, keep them short… ready to rock and roll so we can keep the iron sharp."

Key returners on the men's side include Ryan Cox, Jackson Howse, Nathaniel Loving, Owen Marquardt, and Josh Stidfole. Key returners on the women's side include Josie McDonald, Morgan Remley, Olivia Blackmon, and Sarah Turner. Both teams add five newcomers to its respective rosters.  

"All of the returners all playing a major role, but we do have some freshmen stepping up as well," said Coach Barksdale. "The upperclassmen are really making sure that the freshmen are feeling welcomed and getting everything done."

Returners Ryan Cox and Morgan Remley mentioned pack running races as a major goal for both sides.

"A goal we have on the men's side was to pack run, so if we stay together throughout, that makes it a little easier when your training partners are next to you." – Cox

"We don't have a lot on the girl's side right now, so making sure that we all are close and keeping together helps when you are racing." - Remley

The 2025 campaign is set to start Friday at McFarland Park in Florence, Ala. The Men's 8k will open the day at 7:45 a.m., followed by the Women's 5k at 8:30 a.m.