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OXFORD, Ala. – Kicking off the 2017 season, the Columbus State University men's and women's cross country teams took to the course Friday night at the Struts Season Opener hosted by Jacksonville State University.
 
The Cougar men took second place with 54 team points, while the Lady Cougars came in fourth with a team total of 164.
 
"I thought we ran really well for an early season meet," head men's cross country coach J.D. Evilsizer said. "We are way ahead of where we were at this time last year."
 
Sophomore Wright Calhoun paced the Cougars on Friday night, covering the 5k course in 16:07.4 to take eighth place. Noah Hollis followed right behind his teammate in ninth at 16:12.1.
 
Noah Churchwell made it a trio of Cougars in the top 15 finishing 13^th in 16:28.2, while Charles Asouzu (16:36.2, 20^th), Christopher Oswald (16:38.3, 22^nd) and Isaac Krumm (16:44.6, 25^th) gave CSU three more top-25 performances.
 
William Michael ended just outside the top 25 in his first collegiate race, crossing in 16:44.9 in 26^th.
 
Tyler Sheffel (17:42.5, 46^th), Christopher Miles (18:30.6, 55^th), Michael Catron (18:46.0, 59^th) and Timothy Thompson (19:39.4, 66^th) all ran as well for the Cougars.
 
In her first race as a Lady Cougar, Alli Hay led the CSU women with a 21^st-place showing with a 4k time of 15:44.0. Jastonie Hill was less than one minute behind in 16:32.1 taking 35^th.
 
Eva Salazar Torres (17:04.1, 44^th) and Dara Staton (17:23.9, 49^th) each turned in top-50 finishes as well.
 
Tatiana Forester was the final part of the team score on Friday night, ending in 56^th place at 17:42.5.
 
"We ran well against a very fast field," head women's cross country coach David Marley commented. "We have to keep working hard to get better as we move forward."
 
Na'ilah Allen (17:47.2, 60^th), Semia Houston (17:47.6, 61^st) and Ansley Cain (17:53.8, 63^rd) all ran their first collegiate race Friday night.
 
Columbus State will run again next Saturday at the Furman Invitational in Greenville, S.C.