Alabama’s men’s and women’s cross country teams opened the season at Mississippi College on Friday at the Choctaw Trails. Coming off an impressive season last year, Alabama saw several performances that showed glimpses of an impressive season in the works.

Two of Alabama’s top performers were junior Elliot Miller and freshman Megan Patton. Miller placed third in the men’s division with a time of 15:15.84 for the 8,000 meters. Patton finished eighth in the women’s division with a time of 19:06.07.

Other notable finishes for Alabama for the men’s side was sophomore Hayden Blalock, who finished seventh in 15:58.12; freshman Payton Ash, who finished ninth in 16:03.57; junior Oliver Rigg, who was 14th in 16:15.79 and junior Clay Austell, who finished 18th in 16:28.20.

For the women was freshman Riley Schelp, who covered the 5,000-meter course in 19:26.73 to finish 12th; junior Brittany Tolson, who finished 17th in 19:42.63; freshman Lauren Brackin, who was 21st in 19:48.77 and freshman Savannah Noethlich, who finished 22nd in 19:55.18.

“We had some nice things happen today,” coach Dan Waters said in a press release. “This was a good opportunity for several of our freshman to get a first taste of collegiate competition, and we had a number of veterans who looked solid as well. Megan Patton did a great job in the women’s race finishing as our No. 1 runner in her college debut. I was also pleased with what I saw out of Elliot Miller and Payton Ash on the men’s side. We’re in a good place, we just need to keep moving forward.”

Overall the men’s team finished second with 48 points, while the women’s team finished third with 75 points.

Alabama will compete next at the SEC Preview Meet Friday, Sept. 7 held in Auburn.