This Friday, the University of Missouri Tigers are set to take on the Southeastern Conference’s top collegiate cross country teams at the Cherokee Farm Cross Country Course in Knoxville for the 2025 SEC Cross Country Championship. Hosted by the University of Tennessee, this event will feature the men’s 8k race at precisely 9:08 a.m. CDT and the women’s 6k race at 9:53 a.m. CDT.
Course Overview and Thoughts
The Cherokee Farm Cross Country Course, situated along the Tennessee River consists of two loops, a 2k and 1k. These loops allow
viewers to see runners multiple times before arriving at the finish line. Work on the course began in 2013, led by Donna Thomas, who aimed to create a dedicated race and practice venue for the Tennessee XC team.
With the Tigers facing a new course at Cherokee Farm, the team will have to adjust to unfamiliar terrain and multiple top-placed teams. This challenge will give them a chance to test their teamwork and endurance against some of the SEC’s best competitors.
“I think actually, it’s probably a really good thing for us to see something different, to have to get on the road,” coach Kyle Levermore said. “I’ve been really pleased with how we’ve competed without traveling.”
On the Men’s Side
The Tigers’ men’s team entered the championship with multiple wins and early-on successes behind them. Senior Drew Rogers has anchored the squad, providing experience and guidance, while freshman Elijah Limo has quickly made a name for himself with top performances.
“During the race, I usually talk to my friends. I talk with Drew Rogers, he’s my mentor,” Limo said.
The Tigers have continued to maintain consistency against strong conference opponents. Austin Popplewell and Tyler Freiner have also placed high for the Tigers, as Friener and Popplewell placed No.36 and No.46 during the Pre-National Invitational. Alongside that, the group has shown their ability to adapt to different race conditions, especially during home meets, and to maintain their pacing throughout the season.
“When you’re consistent, I think that that allows you to go into championships and know that, you just kind of got to keep doing what you’re doing, and so it’s a good sign,” Levermore said.
On the Women’s Side
The women’s team has shown remarkable progress throughout the season, from freshman Suzy Lecoutre winning the Mizzou Opener to freshman Monica Wanjiku placing in the top 10 in multiple races so far this year.
Junior Rahel Broemmel placed No.4 at the Mizzou Opener this year and had a time of 20:31.6 during the Gans Creek Classic. Alongside her, freshman Kobi Walker placed No.3 at the Mizzou Opener and received her personal best at the Gans Creek Classic with a time of 20:25.6.
“We have performed well in very competitive environments, and that gives me a lot of confidence that we show up with the same version of ourselves, that we can kind of compete with anyone,” Levermore said.
Looking Forward
As they head into the postseason, the Tigers will face several top-ranked teams. According to the Week 4 USTFCCCA Regional Rankings, Iowa State and Oklahoma State have consistently been near the top on the men’s side. For the women, Iowa State, Northwestern University and Oklahoma State have taken the lead. With that being said, the Tigers are currently ranked No. 3 for the men and No. 4 for the women, which shows promising results.
“It’s really going to come down to who nails the details, because there is not a ton of margin for error, and there’s also not a lot of difference between some of these teams,” Levermore said. “We’re all good in different ways, and so it’s really going to be important that we have a good scout on everyone.”
To keep up with more updates on Mizzou’s XC team, follow @SophBleedsLA on Twitter/X.
