Mars Hill had an impressive showing in the 2008 campaign despite not having the two top returners Kit Powell (Antigo, Wis.) and captain Winston Curry (Roanoke, Va.) for the full season.  Both Powell and Curry were First Team All-SAC performers in 2007. 

This season saw a number of runners step up and assume leadership roles.  While they did not advance to the National Championships this season after six consecutive trips, it was a great year which saw the development of a number of younger teammates.

Covered Bridge Open
The men’s cross country team opened the 2008 campaign competing in the Covered Bridge Open hosted by Appalachian State University.

The men placed seventh in a field of 12 teams.  The Lions' harriers finished second among Division II opponents.
Joel Barnett (Greenville, S.C.) led MHC in 31st place with a time of 27:26 in the 8K race. Trey McCain (Leesville, S.C.) followed in 35th place with a time of 27:37.

Covered Bridge Open
This year’s Eye Opener Invitational featured 150 College and High School teams and over 2,400 total runners. The men’s team once again captured the non-Division I title finishing first out of 22 teams. 

They were led by freshman Joel Barnett (Greenville, SC). Barnett’s time of 27:12 earned him third place among the non-Division I finishers.  Teammates Aaron Thomas (Seminole, FL) and Trey McCain (Leesville, SC) were right behind Joel with times of 27:16 and 27:18, respectively. 

Rounding out the top five for the team were Justin Baker (Raleigh, NC) and Tom Carpenter (Medina, OH).  Two other Mars Hill men had stout performances.  Josh Corbin (Franklin, NC) ran a personal best time of 28:17 and Josh Oxendine (Rutherfordton, NC) also ran a personal best time of 28:27 which was 1:46 improvement over his previous fastest time. 

Wingate Invitational
The Mars Hill College men's cross country team traveled to Wingate University to preview the region course and competition.  On a hot and humid day, they posted another top finish.

Due to course construction, the men competed in a 9,700 meter race rather than a full 10,000 meters.  In his first race of the season, Kit Powell (Antigo, WI) shook off the rust and finished in a strong sixth place in 33:45.  Trey McCain (Gilbert, SC) claimed a 10th place finish in a time of 35:11.   Team tactics allowed for a pack of four Lions - Joel Barnett (15th, 35:39), Aaron Thomas (16th 35:40), Josh Oxendine (17th, 35:44), and Will Mikolajczak (18th, 35:45) - to reach the finish line close together.

Greater Louisville Classic
The men’s gold race included perfect racing conditions and outstanding competition.

Leading the way for the men was Trey McCain (Leesville, S.C.) with a personal best time of 26:22.45.  Close behind McCain were teammates Aaron Thomas (Seminole, Fla.) in 26:44.18, Tom Carpenter (Medina, Ohio) in 26:46.51, Justin Baker (Raleigh, N.C.) in 26:48.80 and William Mikalojczak (Triangle, Va.) in 26:49.83.  Also turning in a personal best time by over one minute was Josh Corbin (Franklin, N.C.) in 27:27.64.

Blue Ridge Open
The State Farm Fields course is a meet that featured 28 teams and almost 600 runners and some of the top competition in the Southeast.

The men were split into two squads and competed in both the gold and open races.  First was the gold race and the men turned in one of their best team performances of the season.  They finished 12th overall out of 26 teams and second in Division II.  Along the way the team bested 11 Division I programs, including the University of Miami. 

Leading the way for the men was Justin Baker (Raleigh, N.C.) with a time of 26:41.  This meet marked the first time that Baker led the Lions.

In the open race the men were led by Ben Crenshaw (Linville Falls, N.C.) with a time of 28:46.  Overall the men finished eighth out of nine teams.

SAC Cross Country Championship
Mars Hill College claimed the 2008 South Atlantic Conference Men’s Cross Country Championship. The Lions had 31 points to top runner-up Wingate University, who had 50 points. Mars Hill won the title for the 12th consecutive year.

The top seven finishers earned first team All-SAC honors, while the next seven were named second team All-SAC.  Among the All-Conference First Team were Justin Baker, Trey McCain, Joel Barnett and Will Mikolajczak.

Lions on the All-Conference Second Team included Aaron Thomas and Josh Corbin. 

Barnett was named to the All-Freshman team.

Mars Hill Head Coach Mike Owens, who guided the Lions, was named Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year.

Regional Championship
The men’s team ran well and claimed a fourth place finish at the NCAA D-II Championships held on the campus of Wingate University.  The first year of competition in the newly realigned region saw a record number of teams and runners in the race.  There were 28 teams represented and a total of 140 runners.

Leading the way for the Mars Hill men was Trey McCain (Leesville, N.C.) with a 16th place finish.  His time of 33:39 was a personal best by 1:18.  Close behind McCain was teammate Aaron Thomas (Seminole, Fla.) who also posted a personal best time.  He finished the 10,000 meter course in 24th place in 34:16.

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