CLINTON, Miss. - The Xavier men's and women's cross country teams wrapped their 2026 regular seasons Friday morning with runs in the 2026 Watson Collegiate Classic at Mississippi Christian University's Choctaw Trails Course. 

The Watson Classic attracted more than 450 runners from 35 schools, including NAIA, NCAA Division I, Division II, and Division III teams. 

On the women's side, a trio of Gold Nuggets participated, with Jayda Love having the best showing, a 29:08.7 6,000-meter run. Alexandria Pierson (29:30.0) and Kayla Garrett (30:17.2) also represented XULA well. 

In the men's 8,000-meter race, Benjamin Ford was the top runner for Xavier, posting a time of 28:05.4. 

Ra'Shad Cure (30:46.7), Kamal Webb (33:36.8), Kasen Robinson (33:45.1), Jaylan Babineaux (37:05.8), Jaheene Bell (38:25.1), and Donte Robinson (41:03.9) rounded out the Gold Rush contingent. 

Friday's meet was the perfect postseason tune-up for the Xavier men and women, who will get a three-week break before returning to Clinton and the Choctaw Trails Course for the Southern States Athletic Conference Championship Meet. 

Full results from the Watson Collegiate Classic are available on the AthleticLive website courtesy of Xpress Timing.