CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The Berry College men's and women's cross country teams began their 2026 seasons with strong outings at the Mountainside Stride, hosted by Covenant College.

The men earned a first place finish with a team score of 29 points, while the women took home second place with 52 points. Both teams combined for nine top 15 finishers at the event.

Five Vikings finished in the top 10 individually on the men's side, including two in the top three. Senior Brooks Johnson finished in first place with a final time of 19.47.4, and T Harris finished third with a 20:01.3.

Just outside the top five was Tavian Anderson, who finished in sixth place with a 20:29.7 time, and then Xavier Anderson and Owen Gagnon rounded out the top ten by finishing ninth and 10th place. Anderson ended with a 20:55.5 and Gagnon with a 21:01.9.

The final three men to race for the Vikings were Tyler Miller, Elijah Neal, and Calvin Davis. The senior Miller finished 24th with a 22:23.6, and the freshman Neal had a strong collegiate debut with a 22:38.6 and a 25th place finish. Lastly, Davis finished 37th with a 24:55.9.

On the women's side, three Vikings finished in the top 10 individually. Senior Ella Williams took home silver with a 24:32.8 time. Natalie Sinclair ended in ninth with a 26:09.8, and freshman Grace Scuderi impressed with a 26:14.6 and 10th place finish.

Much like Sinclair and Scuderi, the remaining six Berry runners finished back-to-back with each other. Abby Reams (26:56.7) and Lucy Brooks (27:23.6) finished 15th and 16th, Helen Wesley (28:06.5) and Taylor Kallbreier (28:14.3) were 23rd and 24th, and finally Rory Johnson (29:58.0) and Mallory Tucker (30:01.1) finished 31st and 32nd. 

After the meet, head coach Paul Deaton said, "I'm pleased with both the men and women for their well measured team efforts in the heat with strong finishes over the last mile."

Both teams return to action on September 19 for the Lynchburg Pre-Region at Panorama Farms in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Below are the full team results:

Men's 6000 Meters Team Result (6K)

1. Berry - 29 Points, 1:42:15 Total Time

2. Covenant - 48 Points, 1:44:48 Total Time

3. Sewanne - 57 Points, 1:45:47 Total Time

4. Bryan - 86 Points, 1:48:53 Total Time

Women's 6000 Meters Team Result (6K)

1. Covenant - 34 Points, 2:08:40 Total Time

2. Berry - 52 Points, 2:11:17 Total Time

3. Sewanne - 63 Points, 2:14:46 Total Time

4. Bryan - 87 Points, 2:29:04 Total Time