Saturday, October 31
Mill Spring, N.C.
10 a.m.
Mercer University
vs
Southern Conference Championship
10/30/2026 1:00:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
MILL SPRING, N.C. – Mercer Cross Country will compete at the Southern Conference Championship this Saturday, Oct. 31, at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, N.C.
At last year's SoCon Championships, the women's team finished second, the highest team placement in program history. Mary Grace Parker led the way for the Bears, running a 17:14.2 5K to place third overall, the highest individual placement in program history. Nikki Harris finished second on the team, running a 17:53.6 to finish 10th overall. Chiara Belfico rounded out the finishers for the Bears, running an 18:21.7 to finish 17th.
The men's team finished sixth overall last year, led by Jake Peters, who ran a 25:41.6 8K to place 15th.
Both teams have seen success throughout this season. William Poelker took home SoCon Runner of the Week honors after running a 19:32.9 6K to finish second at the MGA/Julius Johnson Invitational. Nikki Harris and Mary Grace Parker also earned weekly honors. Harris ran a 17:13.7, the third-fastest women's 5K in program history, while Parker ran a 17:18.5 to finish in fourth place at the Upstate Invite.
The men's 8K is set to begin at 10 a.m. with the women's 5K following at 10:45 a.m. An awards ceremony will take place following the women's race.
At last year's SoCon Championships, the women's team finished second, the highest team placement in program history. Mary Grace Parker led the way for the Bears, running a 17:14.2 5K to place third overall, the highest individual placement in program history. Nikki Harris finished second on the team, running a 17:53.6 to finish 10th overall. Chiara Belfico rounded out the finishers for the Bears, running an 18:21.7 to finish 17th.
The men's team finished sixth overall last year, led by Jake Peters, who ran a 25:41.6 8K to place 15th.
Both teams have seen success throughout this season. William Poelker took home SoCon Runner of the Week honors after running a 19:32.9 6K to finish second at the MGA/Julius Johnson Invitational. Nikki Harris and Mary Grace Parker also earned weekly honors. Harris ran a 17:13.7, the third-fastest women's 5K in program history, while Parker ran a 17:18.5 to finish in fourth place at the Upstate Invite.
The men's 8K is set to begin at 10 a.m. with the women's 5K following at 10:45 a.m. An awards ceremony will take place following the women's race.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
Monday, October 26
Sunday, October 18
Sunday, October 18
Sunday, October 18
