JACKSON, Miss. – For head coach Mark Thorne and his men's and women's cross country teams, 2023 has been a rebuilding year like no other for Jackson State University.

With an abundance of losses due to graduation, the NCAA transfer portal, and other reasons, the two-time defending SWAC men's team and the up-and-coming women's team, which finished fifth a year ago, will enter the 2023 SWAC Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Fla., on Monday, October 23, 2023, needing inspired performances in order to remain serious title contenders this time around.

Thorne, last year's SWAC coach-of-the-year, says reaching the title throne again for the men's team won't be impossible, but it will take a lot of work.

"If we run to our potential, we should definitely be a top-three team," said Thorne. "If things fall in place or we get lucky, we could be top two or even win, but we've got to run to our potential."

Jeremiah Hudson, a senior from Flower Mound, Texas, will lead the way for the Tigers. Hudson has been the team's top finisher during the regular season and is expected to carry the load for the Tigers in Monday's championship meet.

"Hudson is leading the pack for us, and I expect him to be a top-five finisher," said Thorne. "He should definitely be All-SWAC, either first or second team."

Attrition devastated JSU's women's team, just like it did the men's squad.

"We're struggling a bit when it comes to women's cross country," said Thorne. "It's been tough. Just like the men, we only have one returner from last year's squad, but we have a freshman who's pretty good that we hope will be either first-team or second-team All-SWAC."

The freshman who carries the hopes of the Lady Tigers is Kaylin Jackson, who hails from Atlanta, Ga. Meanwhile, the lone returning runner is Jalesia Johnson, an area native of Canton, Miss.

While the prospects for this year's SWAC Cross Country Championships may not be as great as they've been the last two years, Thorne says help is on the way.

"Recruiting is going good," said Thorne. "When the recruiting period opens up again in November, we hope to get some cross country kids and bring in some mid-season transfers who will be on the cross country teams for next year.

"So, we'll definitely be going back for our crown," added Thorne. "If we lose our crown this year, we'll definitely be going back for the crown next year."