NASHVILLE — Tennessee State men's and women's cross country return to competition Friday as the Tigers travel to Huntsville, Alabama, for the Legacy Series Invite hosted by Alabama A&M at John Hunt Park.

The meet will mark TSU's second competition of the 2026 season and is part of the Legacy Series weekend between Tennessee State and Alabama A&M.

The Tigers opened the season Sept. 1 at the Vanderbilt Opener at Percy Warner Park in Nashville, with the men's team finishing fourth and the women competing individually in the 5K.

Last Time Out

Tennessee State opened its 2026 campaign at the Vanderbilt Opener, where freshman Maxwell Myers led the men's team with a time of 17:38.39 to place 31st overall. Eric Brannon followed in 17:46.03, while Delton White crossed just behind him in 17:46.95 as the three Tigers finished consecutively.

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

The TSU men finished fourth with 123 points, placing ahead of Alabama A&M in the five-team field.

On the women's side, Justice Scott paced the Tigers with a time of 24:20.53 to finish 33rd overall. Freshman Jurnee Rutherford followed in 25:15.55, while Maleia Ali crossed in 27:54.31 and Chelsea Knox finished in 31:20.01. TSU competed individually and did not record a women's team score.

Freshman Leads the Way

Myers made an immediate impact in his first collegiate cross country meet, leading Tennessee State's men's lineup at the Vanderbilt Opener.

The Nashville native crossed in 17:38.39 and was the first of three consecutive TSU finishers. Brannon followed less than eight seconds later, with White crossing less than a second behind Brannon.

Myers joined the Tigers this season after graduating from Hillsboro High School in Nashville. The freshman also competes in the 800 meters and is one of several newcomers on a young TSU roster.

Tigers to Watch

Davis and Rutherford entered the season as Tennessee State's representatives on the Ohio Valley Conference Runners to Watch lists.

Davis returns for his sophomore season and is expected to provide leadership alongside White on the men's side. He opened the season as TSU's fifth scorer at Vanderbilt, completing the 5K in 18:23.18.

Rutherford began her collegiate career as Tennessee State's second women's finisher at the Vanderbilt Opener, recording a time of 25:15.55. The Smyrna, Tennessee, native joined TSU after competing at Stewarts Creek High School and with Rutherford County Track Club.

Legacy Series Invite

Friday's meet will be Alabama A&M's lone home cross country meet of the 2026 season. The Bulldogs also opened their season at the Vanderbilt Opener, giving the two programs their second look at each other in as many meets.

The Legacy Series Invite is part of a weekend featuring Tennessee State and Alabama A&M athletics in Huntsville, with the schools also meeting in football Saturday.

Race Day in Huntsville

Tennessee State will compete in the Legacy Series Invite on Friday at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Alabama. The meet will mark the Tigers' second of four regular-season competitions before the OVC Championships.

Following the Legacy Series Invite, TSU will return to Nashville for the Michael Pretorius Invite on Sept. 26 at The Hermitage. The Tigers will then compete at the Louisville Cross Country Classic on Oct. 3 before traveling to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, for the OVC Championships on Oct. 30.