Women's Cross Country

Women's Cross Country Runners to Watch

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Below are the Southern States Athletic Conference Runners to Watch for the 2026-27 women's cross country season.

The 2026 SSAC Women's Cross Country Championship takes place November 6 at the Choctaw Trails in Jackson, Mississippi.

  		• Rebeca Lopez
    So., Hazlehurst, Ga.
    • Team captain in just her second season
    • Set a new school record in first meet last year and led team at all meets in 2025
    		Ali Lewis
    So., Hazlehurst, Ga.
    • Strong role model for the team
    • Exemplifies a commitment to personal growth
  		• Julia Folds
    Fr., Cuthbert, Ga.
    • Represents the local community
    • Competitor on and off the course
    		Khadija Tall
    Fr., Norcross, Ga.
    • Multi-event athlete competing in cross country for first time
    • Looking to break out this season
  		• Kaedyn Wilson
    So., Madison, Miss.
    • SSAC Freshman of the Year and First Team All-Conference
    • Recorded a personal best 22:40.85 in third place finish at conference championship
    		Ella Shepherd
    So., Caledonia, Miss.
    • Placed inside top 25 individually last year at SSAC Championship
    • Finished in top four of team throughout the year in 2025
  		• Izzy Edge
    Fr., Soperton, Ga.
    • Finished 23rd at the GHSA Championship last year in Class A Division 2
    • Personal best 5K of 23:29.7
    		Jayla Fouse
    Fr., Fayetteville, Ga.
    • Multi-sport athlete at Whitewater High School
    • 20:09 5K personal best in high school
  		• Kylie Gray
    Jr., Smyrna, Tenn.
    • Qualified for NAIA Championship freshman year and just missed last season
    • Work ethic sets standard for those around her
    		Allison Batts
    So., Carrollton, Ga.
    • Ran well in track after battling setbacks during cross country
    • Poised to build on momentum gained from offseason training
  		• Mallory Lawyer
    Fr., Eagleville, Tenn.
    • Personal best last year in 5K at 22:03.76
    • Finished 31st in Tennessee High School Championship
    		Lacy Strength
    Fr., Holtville, Ala.
    • 5K personal best time of 23:16.08
    • Crazy athlete in high school who came strong last spring for the team
  		• Meera Hijazi
    So., New Orleans, La.
    • Top returning runner from 2025 (26th place at SSAC)
    • Holds the fourth-best 6K time in school history at 24:40
    		Sela Myers
    So., Minneapolis, Minn.
    • Was the fourth scorer for Loyola at SSAC Championship
    • Placed third in steeplechase at SSAC Track & Field Championships
  		• Claire Atkins
    Sr., Orange Beach, Ala.
    • 6K personal best of 23:32
    • Will graduate early in December with degree in Pre-Health Biology
    		Adalyn Seigman
    Fr., Springville, Ala.
    • 5K personal best of 21:28 in high school
    • Majoring in Nursing
  		• Kennedy Jennings
    Fr., Live Oak, Fla.
    • 5K season-best last year of 21:46 in high school
    • FHSAA All-State honoree
    		Rylee Taylor
    Fr., Thomasville, Ga.
    • Ran a 24:37 to mark season-best last year in high school
    • Expected to be ready for big performance at conference championship
  		• Alyssa Andrea
    Sr., Fairview, Tenn.
    • Two-time national qualifier and three-time All-Conference honoree
    • Cornerstone team leader
    		Claire Deaton
    Sr., Madison, Ala.
    • Two-time All-Conference honoree and 10K record holder for the team
    • Disciplined, determined and integral to the team
  		• Kristina Stojanovic
    Sr., Serbia
    • Transfer from Southern Miss
    • Collegiate personal best 6K time of 22:47.2
    		Maria Tirado
    Sr., Maracay, Venezuela
    • Runner-up at 2025 SSAC Championship
    • 6K personal best time of 22:23.6
  		• Chris-Ann Edwards
    So., Kingston, Jamaica
    • Placed 19th at RRAC Championship last season
    • Won the RRAC 800m in outdoor track
    		Jayda Love
    Sr., Houston, Texas
    • Placed 20th in the 2025 RRAC Championship
    • Enters second season with XULA after transferring from Sam Houston State