JOPLIN, Mo. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Cross Country wrapped up its 2024 season Saturday at the NCAA II Central Regional by combining to run 10 personal best times.
UAFS finished 22nd in the women's 6k race and 31st in the men's 10k event. The women totaled 595 points while the men totaled 964.
Cadence Hodge paced the Lions in the women's race with a 32nd-place finish in 21:56.12, setter her third school record of the year in the process. Hailey Malik followed in 23:08.71 while Madison Thurston ran a time of 23:32.48.
Cecilia Perez finished in 24:54.92 with Kailey Pentz rounding out the top five for the Lions in 25:11.92. Quincy Efurd and Annabella Tedder completed the Lions' lineup in 25:18.65 and 25:20.69, respectively. Hodge, Thurston, Pentz and Efurd all posted personal bests for the 6k.
All six men's runners posted personal bests in the 10k, led by Conner Valentine in 35:09.56. Parker Brown was just seconds behind in 35:11.74 while Tyreek Gilkey completed the event in 35:21.33.
Vincent Gonzales ran a time of 36:05.13 while Isaac Teague crossed the line in 36:44.64. Luke Bledsoe rounded out the lineup by finishing in a time of 37:09.45.
