COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Ole Miss men’s and women’s cross country teams competed at the 2026 SEC Championships on Friday morning, with the women placing 14th in the 6K while the men claimed sixth in their 8K race at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course.
The starting gun rang out for the women just after 10 a.m. to begin the day. Leading the way for Ole Miss once again this season was Alicia Finnis, as she was the first Rebel to cross the finish line following two 3,000-meter laps in 20:36.3 to place 57th. Sophomore Leah Penick was just behind, finishing her race in 20:39.9 to take 63rd place.
Hannah Doyle would improve upon her time at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course from earlier in the season by over one minute, taking 83rd and finishing in 21:02.6. Brooke Preputnick would cross the line in 21:04.5 to take 86th, while Adie Luna rounded out the scoring for Ole Miss with a time of 21:14.2.
Six more members of the women’s team competed for the Rebels at the SEC Championship meet: Zoe Marsh finishing in 21:23.7, Maddie Archdale running a time of 21:36.9, Jillian Candelino in 21:40.2, Addy Mitchell with a time of 21:45.3, Lucy Milliner running a 21:49.5, and Shannon Zugelder finishing with a time of 23:09.6.
Moments following the completion of the women’s race, the men began to gather at the start line for the 8,000-meter race. Running among the lead pack the entire race, Kidus Misgina would record his second-straight top-10 finish at the conference championship meet, finishing in 10th place with a time of 22:38.3. Misgina’s finish would earn him a spot on the All-SEC Second Team.
Moments later, Owen Kelley hit the finish line with 23:30.1 on the clock, placing 33rd, while John Shoemaker finished just behind in 46th place with a time of 23:50.4. Ky Hehir was just behind Shoemaker in 47th place with a time of 23:56.4, while Samuel Ferguson rounded out the scorers for Ole Miss, taking 58th place with a time of 24:13.2.
Five more Rebels would cross the finish line at the SEC Championships in the men’s 8K: Aidan Hodge with a time of 24:22.7, Luke Hurley at 24:26.8, Sergio Del Barrio in 24:41.6, Zack Gilbertson running a 24:46.8, and Sean Donoghue with a time of 25:47.4.
Each team now turns their attention to the NCAA South Regional, where they will compete for a spot in the NCAA Championships. The men and women’s regional race will take place on Friday, November 13 in Tallahassee, Florida.
Women’s Invitational 6K – 14th Place
57. Alicia Finnis – 20:36.3
63. Leah Penick – 20:39.9
83. Hannah Doyle – 21:02.6
86. Brooke Preputnick – 21:04.5
95. Adie Luna – 21:14.2
103. Zoe Marsh – 21:23.7
113. Maddie Archdale – 21:36.9
116. Jillian Candelino – 21:40.2
119. Addy Mitchell – 21:45.3
124. Lucy Milliner – 21:49.5
147. Shannon Zugelder – 23:09.6
Men’s Invitational 8K – 6th Place
10. Kidus Misgina – 22:38.3
33. Owen Kelley – 23:30.1
46. John Shoemaker – 23:50.4
47. Ky Hehir – 23:56.4
58. Samuel Ferguson – 24:13.2
61. Aidan Hodge – 24:22.7
64. Luke Hurley – 24:26.8
71. Sergio Del Barrio – 24:41.6
77. Zack Gilbertson – 24:46.8
94. Sean Donoghue – 25:47.4