NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee State cross country opened the 2026 season Tuesday morning at the Vanderbilt Opener at Percy Warner Park, with the men's team finishing fourth and the women competing individually in the 5K races. 

Women's 5K 

Justice Scott led Tennessee State across the finish line, completing the course in 24:20.53 to place 33rd overall. 

Jurnee Rutherford followed in 25:15.55, while Maleia Ali recorded a time of 27:54.31. Chelsea Knox rounded out TSU's finishers at 31:20.01. 

The Tigers did not record a team score in the women's race. 

Men's 5K 

Maxwell Myers paced the Tennessee State men with a time of 17:38.39, placing 31st overall and earning 22 points toward the team score. Eric Brannon crossed just behind him in 17:46.03, followed by Delton White in 17:46.95, giving TSU three consecutive finishers in 31st through 33rd place.  

Landon Gragg was the Tigers' fourth scorer with a time of 18:15.09, while Aaron Davis completed TSU's scoring five in 18:23.18. Landon Thrasher followed in 18:44.97, and Marcel Lake finished in 18:55.85.  

Tennessee State finished fourth as a team with 123 points, placing ahead of Alabama A&M. 

Jayden Batts finished in 19:57.71, while Kylen Thorps crossed in 21:42.04 to round out the Tigers' finishers.  

Tennessee State will return to action Friday, Sept. 11, when the Tigers travel to Huntsville, Alabama, for the Legacy Series Invite hosted by Alabama A&M. The night race will mark TSU's second meet of the 2026 season.