GREENVILLE, S.C. — The Montreat College women's cross country team opened its 2026 campaign on Friday night at the Bruins XC Night Classic, a twilight meet hosted by Bob Jones University. Competing in a 4k race against a 12-team field that included several NCAA Division II programs, the Cavaliers secured a runner-up finish.
Montreat totaled 96 team points, finishing 13 points ahead of Mars Hill University. Carson-Newman University captured the team title with 50 points.
Senior Macy Parks paced the Cavs with a second-place showing, setting a new program-best time at the annual Bob Jones meet with an effort of 14:51.9. Parks shattered Montreat's previous top time at the meet, which was established in 2021, by nearly 30 seconds. Carlyn Bobo followed in fourth at 15:00.2, finishing two spots behind Parks while also eclipsing the previous mark by more than 20 seconds.
Elena Fibraio added another top-15 performance for Montreat, taking 12th in 16:02.1. Newcomer Audrey Poole was the Cavaliers' fourth finisher, placing 37th at 17:08.2 to make a strong collegiate debut. Naomi Smith rounded out the Cavs' scoring five, crossing in 51st with a time of 17:37.8.
Eliza Nelson also competed for the Cavaliers on Friday night, finishing 58th out of 90 runners in 17:59.4. The Port Huron, Mich., native crossed the line seven spots behind Smith.
For full results from the Bruins XC Night Classic, click here.
Montreat returns to competition on Sept. 25 for the Tryon Collegiate Cross Country Showcase in Mill Spring, N.C. The women's race is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
