In Mobile, Ala. on Saturday, Sept. 13, the Lions Cross Country team ran in the Azalea City Cross Country Classic. The event was held at the Mobile County Fairgrounds. The race featured 11 teams including Alabama State, Millsaps, Mobile, New Orleans, South Alabama, Troy, Tulane, Alabama-Birmingham, Louisiana-Lafayette and William Carey. Hosted by South Alabama, the races, which started at 7:30 a.m., included an 8k run for the men’s team and a 6k for the women’s. Results for the men’s team are as follows: Harry Wiggins led the pack for the men finishing twelfth. Wiggins, a sophomore majoring in kinesiology, reached his personal best time at 25:54.06. The next Lion behind Wiggins was Joseph LeGrange. LeGrange finished in nineteenth place, close behind Wiggins, at 26:23.19.
“It felt great to lead my team,” said Wiggins. “This is my first time since I have been at Southeastern that I have been the front runner of the Lions Cross Country team. The team as a whole competed very well. I am very excited to see what our team is going to do this season.”
The Lady Lions also showed exceptional efforts in the Cross Country Classic. Heather Fitzhenry finished on top with a time of 26:16. Close after Fitzhenry came Katie Neil with a time of 26:17. Next up was Jennifer Ernest with a time of 29:18, then Elise Beier with a time of 32:25 and finally Erin St. Pierre with a time of 34:30.  
“We run because we love the sport because we love representing our school,” said Neil, a junior biology/pre-med major. “So as long as we’re having fun and doing the best we can, then there’s nothing more I can ask for. Although we need to improve upon to be the best team we can be, we have a great group of people and an amazing coach, so I can’t wait to see what the rest of the season will bring.”
The men finished fourth overall. Joseph Edwards finished with a time of 26:40.48, Leo Moreno with a time of 27:11.23, Andrew Brouilliette 27:45.79, Wesley Brown 28:37.22, Tyler Waggenspack 29:34.35, Stephen Cassingham 29:34.35 and Matthew Brouilliette 29:56.12. All finished within the top 50. It is safe to say that all of the Lions ran with pride. The Lions and Lady Lions worked as a great team overall to do their best and make their coaches and their school proud. They definitely showed the other teams the meaning of “Lion Up.” The Lions and Lady Lions will return to the hunt on Sept. 21 to compete in the LSU invitational and will no doubt give it their all to show how the Lions run.