SMU
American Athletic Conference
Mustangs Compete at AAC Championships on Saturday Morning
Oct 27 | Cross Country
AAC Championships Â
Overton's Lake Kristi – Greenville, North Carolina Â
Saturday, October 28, 2023Â Â
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DALLAS, Texas (SMU) -- The 2023 American Athletic Conference Cross Country Champion will be decided tomorrow morning in Greenville, North Carolina. The SMU Mustangs will compete in the championships at 9 a.m. CT on Saturday, and Head Coach A'Havahla Haynes said the goal is to fight for the AAC title.Â
"This season has been about preparing for championship season," Haynes said. "The women have improved week over week. The women are capable as long as they race together and for each other. It must be a team effort in order to best the competition in Greenville."Â
Last year, the team placed second – their highest finish since 2017. Headed into the championship meet, SMU is ranked second overall in the South Central Region. Maddie Hulcy, who placed sixth in last year's race leading the Mustangs, said their last meet showed their strength as a team, and they are ready to compete in tomorrow's race.Â
"We have worked hard all season, and we are united in our goal to win conference," Hulcy said. "This is an incredible group of women, and I really believe in us!"Â
Kaitlyn Gearin echoed the confidence of the team that comes from the great performances they have had in recent meets.Â
"We are ready to go for the conference title," Gearin said. "I'm excited to race with my teammates and start off the championship season strong."Â
Leoni Mierswa said she is excited to compete again with her teammates and show the work they have been putting in.Â
"Our goal is to show up and compete as one unit," Mierswa said. "I'm so excited, and I know that we are ready to fight for a win."Â
Kendall Saeger said the team is ready to run with and for one another.Â
"We've got a really tight knit group of girls, and I'm excited about what this group is doing and still has yet to do," Saeger said.Â
For senior Jessie Crowley, this meet means a lot as one of her last and she wants to run a race she is proud of and can look back on with good memories.Â
"We are shooting for the team win and I'm so excited to see what we can do together," Crowley said. "This is a goal we have had for a long time, and I know our team is more than capable of it."Â
Macey Hilton will compete in her second conference championship as a Mustang and is excited to be in a great place as a team.Â
"This season we come into the championship season with a lot more belief in what we are capable of achieving, which is exciting," Hilton said. "The team is ready to smash it!"Â
Flora Tissier said she is excited for her first AAC Championships and can't wait to see all the hard work the team has put in pay off.Â
"Personally, I'm aiming for an All-Conference spot in the top 14 finishers because I believe it'll help our team clinch the conference victory," Tissier said. "It's all about how our individual goals can contribute to the team's success."Â
Faustine Chaboche said her aim is to do everything she can to get a good team result and win as a team.Â
"Place is more important than time, so I'd like to finish in the top 20," Chaboche said. "We'll try to start together for the first few kilometers and pass as many people as possible after that. Above all, I want to enjoy the race and feel good as long as I can!"Â
The race will be streamed on ESPN+.Â
