SMC Women Take Second at Continental Athletic Conference Cross Country Championships

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Spartanburg Methodist College women's cross country team took second at the 2024 Continental Athletic Conference Championships on Friday. 

The Pioneer women were led by individual champion, Sophia Outhous, who crossed the 6k line in 24:42.3. Teammate Audrey Noel took third with a time of 25:24.4. By virtue of their top five finish the two earn first team all-conference honors. 

The third finisher for SMC was Averi Vance, who was eighth in 29:18.3. Her eighth-place finish secures her second team all-conference recognition. 

Also earning second team all-conference honors and the fourth runner for SMC was Bella Shields, who finished 10^th in a time of 30:16.4.

The fifth runner for SMC was Nsimre "Letitia" Bahongwehre, who took 12^thin 31:32.7. Following the meet, she received the NAIA Champions of Character award from the conference office as the honoree from SMC. 

Also for the Pioneers, Polly Addington took 15^th in a time of 32:45.3 to round out the top six for SMC.

The team champion was Haskell Indian, who earns an automatic bid to the 2024 NAIA Cross Country Championships. The team race was separated by three points with Haskell Indian scoring 31 (2-4-5-6-7) edging SMC with 34 (1-3-8-10-12).

Outhous, Noel and Vance have also earned an at-large bid as the top four finishers from the non-winning team secure a spot at next week's NAIA Cross Country National Championship in Columbia, Missouri on Saturday, Nov. 16.