MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Ole Miss men’s cross country team began the 2025 season on a high note, securing a team victory during the Memphis Twilight race held late Saturday night. In a remarkable display of strength and teamwork, the 27th-ranked Rebel men achieved a decisive 13-point win over Middle Tennessee, finishing the four-mile event with a total score of 28 points by placing all five scoring runners within the top twelve.
Leading the charge for Ole Miss, redshirt sophomore Zack Gilbertson clocked a time of 19:18.57 for a fifth-place finish. He was closely followed by senior Gabe Scales, who took sixth place in 19:20.19, and junior Landen McNair, who finished seventh at 19:24.07. Redshirt freshmen Ky Hehir and Samuel Ferguson rounded out the scoring team, securing eighth and twelfth places, respectively, with times of 19:25.99 and 19:43.34.
- Aidan Hodge (sophomore) – 13th, 19:48.65
- Stone Smith (sophomore) – 17th, 20:00.02
- Marco Perez (senior) – 25th, 20:21.15
On the women’s side, Ole Miss finished in a close second place, trailing Mississippi State by just two points. The Rebel women totaled 44 points in the 5K event, while Mississippi State secured 42.
The Rebel women’s roster was predominantly made up of new athletes, showcasing the potential of their freshmen. Leah Penick made a strong debut by finishing fifth in 17:21.70, followed closely by fellow freshmen Addy Mitchell in sixth place at 17:28.21 and Natalie Duggan, who finished ninth with a time of 17:48.40. The scoring was completed by redshirt sophomores Hannah Doyle in twelfth (17:52.23) and Ella Johnson in fifteenth (17:58.76).
- Madison Archdale (redshirt freshman) – 16th, 18:08.31
- Adie Luna (junior) – 18th, 18:22.91
- Brooke Preputnick (junior) – 34th, 19:00.70
Looking ahead, Ole Miss is set to compete again next month, scheduled for the Gans Creek Classic in Missouri on Friday, September 26.
Women’s 5K Team Scores
- 1. Mississippi State – 42
- 2. Ole Miss – 44
- 3. Middle Tennessee – 68
- 4. Arkansas State – 117
- 5. Crowder CC – 160
- 8 other schools
Women’s Individual Results
- 5. Leah Penick – 17:21.70
- 6. Addy Mitchell – 17:28.21
- 9. Natalie Duggan – 17:48.40
- 12. Hannah Doyle – 17:52.23
- 15. Ella Johnson – 17:58.76
- 16. Madison Archdale – 18:08.31
- 18. Adie Luna – 18:22.91
- 34. Brooke Preputnick – 19:00.70
Men’s 4-Mile Team Scores
- 1. Ole Miss – 28
- 2. Middle Tennessee – 41
- 3. Memphis – 79
- 4. Arkansas State – 106
- 5. Crowder CC – 129
- 7 other schools
Men’s Individual Results
- 5. Zack Gilbertson – 19:18.57
- 6. Gabe Scales – 19:20.19
- 7. Landen McNair – 19:24.07
- 8. Ky Hehir – 19:25.99
- 12. Samuel Ferguson – 19:43.34
- 13. Aidan Hodge – 19:48.65
- 17. Stone Smith – 20:00.02
- 25. Marco Perez – 20:21.15
