CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Tennessee State men's and women's cross country teams concluded their 2026 seasons Friday at the Ohio Valley Conference Cross Country Championships, hosted by SEMO at the Osage Centre.

Eric Brannon led the Tigers in the men's 8K, finishing in 27:53.26, while Jurnee Rutherford paced the women's squad with a time of 28:02.73 in the 6K.

Both Tennessee State teams finished ninth in the conference standings, with the men totaling 271 points and the women recording 285.

Men's 8K Recap

Brannon led Tennessee State across the finish line, placing 54th overall with a time of 27:53.26. His performance marked the fastest 8K time among the Tigers at the championship meet.

Landon Gragg followed in 63rd place, crossing the line in 28:34.30, while Marcel Lake finished 66th in 29:14.35.

Delton White was the next Tiger to finish, placing 67th with a time of 29:20.55. Aaron Davis, who entered the season on the OVC Men's Cross Country Runners to Watch list, rounded out Tennessee State's five scoring runners with a 69th-place finish in 29:57.68.

Maxwell Myers followed in 70th place with a time of 30:09.77, while Landon Thrasher crossed the line in 30:59.91 to finish 73rd.

Jayden Batts added a time of 31:29.25, and Kylen Thorps completed the 8K course in 37:41.68.

Tennessee State finished ninth in the team standings with 271 points.

Southern Indiana captured the men's conference championship with 21 points, placing five runners among the top seven overall finishers. UT Martin finished second with 80 points, followed by SEMO in third with 85.

Southern Indiana's Alex Nolan claimed the individual championship with a time of 24:05.40.

Women's 6K Recap

Rutherford led Tennessee State in the women's championship race, finishing 69th overall with a time of 28:02.73.

Justice Scott followed closely behind, placing 70th in 28:44.59 to give the Tigers two finishers under the 29-minute mark.

Haley Blades crossed the finish line in 30:31.63 to place 71st, while Qiersten McClain finished 72nd with a time of 32:07.22.

Chelsea Knox completed Tennessee State's scoring five, finishing 73rd in 34:26.75.

The Tigers totaled 285 points to finish ninth in the conference standings.

Southern Indiana claimed the women's team championship with 34 points, placing five runners among the top 13 overall finishers. SEMO finished second with 63 points, while UT Martin took third with 84.

Morehead State's Shelby Lamb captured the individual championship, finishing the 6K course in 20:36.80.

Tennessee State Championship Results

Men's 8K

Athlete	Overall Finish	Time
Eric Brannon	54th	27:53.26
Landon Gragg	63rd	28:34.30
Marcel Lake	66th	29:14.35
Delton White	67th	29:20.55
Aaron Davis	69th	29:57.68
Maxwell Myers	70th	30:09.77
Landon Thrasher	73rd	30:59.91
Jayden Batts	74th	31:29.25
Kylen Thorps	75th	37:41.68

Women's 6K

Athlete	Overall Finish	Time
Jurnee Rutherford	69th	28:02.73
Justice Scott	70th	28:44.59
Haley Blades	71st	30:31.63
Qiersten McClain	72nd	32:07.22
Chelsea Knox	73rd	34:26.75

Championship Notes

• Brannon and Rutherford were Tennessee State's top individual finishers in their respective races.

• Brannon led the men's team with a time of 27:53.26 in the 8K.

• Rutherford and Scott both completed the women's 6K in under 29 minutes.

• Nine Tennessee State men and five women completed their championship races.

• Both teams finished ninth in the OVC standings.

• Southern Indiana swept the men's and women's team championships.

Up Next

The OVC Cross Country Championships conclude Tennessee State's 2026 cross country season. The Tigers will now turn their attention to the upcoming indoor track and field season.