HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Christian Brothers University women's cross country continued to make early-season strides at the 2026 Southern Showcase, highlighted by another historic performance from freshman Eleni Stemmildt.
Stemmildt turned in a 17:49.5 in the 5K, breaking the CBU freshmen school record and finishing 50th overall in a deep field that included several NCAA Division I programs. Her 5:44.2-per-mile pace placed her directly among runners from programs such as Auburn, Mercer, UCF, Mississippi State and Baylor. She also crossed the line ahead of multiple Division I competitors.
The performance continued an impressive start to Stemmildt's collegiate career. She opened the season with an 18:09.99 at the Memphis Twilight Classic and was later named GSC Freshman of the Week after finishing 15th overall and as the second NCAA Division II runner across the line. Her 17:49.5 at the Southern Showcase shaved more than 20 seconds off that performance.
Stemmildt's emergence has made her one of the conference's early-season standouts. She is currently the top-ranked freshman in the GSC and among the conference's top five individuals, giving the Buccaneers a young runner who can compete near the front as the season progresses.
CBU's women's depth also continued to show behind Stemmildt. Freshman Amira Benmerouk finished in 18:40.3, while sophomore Phoebe Steel followed in 19:18.4. Senior Annaggeliki Zannetou crossed in 20:38.7, with Laura de Llano recording a 21:32.1. Elen Skar finished in 24:06.7, and Anastasija Cernova rounded out the group at 25:59.9.
On the men's side, the Buccaneers continued gaining valuable experience with a young and developing roster in the 8K. William McCollough led CBU with a 26:52.1, followed by Ryan Cabreira at 28:16.6, Jannik Harms at 28:23.1 and Miguel Cantarero at 28:27. Robert Richardson finished in 32:47.1, William Barnett crossed in 32:51.1 and Anthony Allen completed the race in 34:37.9.
For CBU, the Southern Showcase provided another measuring stick against a talented field. The women's team continues to build around an emerging group of young runners, while Stemmildt's record-breaking start has quickly made the freshman one of the names to watch in the Gulf South Conference.
