Marks back-to-back National Championship appearances
JACKSON, TENN. – Jackson State Community College (JSCC) Cross Country program has earned team and individual spots at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II National Championship in Huntsville, AL on November 14, 2026.
Following decorated seasons by both the men’s and women’s cross-country teams, the women’s team placed 2nd overall at the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association (TCCAA) Region VII Championship, qualifying them for the NJCCAA National Championship. Abby Hughes, Clara Younger, Victoria Graves, Genesis Pearson, and Naiasja Hill will run for Green Jay Athletics at the Championship.
Abby Hughes, who has received praise both state-wide and nationally for her performances throughout the season, placed first at the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association TCCAA Region VII Championship with a 19:28 finishing time and earning First Team ALL TCCAA Region VII.
Clara Young, who has also had a standout season, placed 4th at the TCCAA Region VII Championship, earning her a spot on the First Team ALL TCCAA Region VII alongside her teammate.
On the men’s side, runners earned National Championship births individually, with Jon Graves finishing 4thand Logan Baker finishing 7th at the TCCAA Region VII Championship, earning them both spots on the First Team ALL TCCAA Region VII and qualifying them alongside their teammate Austin Wright for the NJCAA National Championship.
“We’re extremely proud of these teams.” said Arthur Priddy, Cross Country and Half-Marathon head coach. “Since both the women’s and men’s teams set their individual and team goals back in early August, everyone has been really focused on doing what needed to be done to be competitive. Top-place finishes, a state championship, and now competing at the highest level for our division is a result of the hard work and dedication of the student-athletes and our coaches.”
This year’s championship run sends a clear signal of JSCC’s dedication and commitment to competing at a championship level across its athletic programs. In its second season since becoming a sanctioned sport at the college, the program will have now had 10 runners compete at the National Championships with multiple tournament top-place finishes along the way.
This year’s National Championship will take place at John Hunt Cross Country Running Park in Huntsville, AL with women’s division beginning at Noon (CST) and men’s division at 1 p.m. (CST).
Photo caption: Jackson State Community College men’s and women’s cross country teams)
