FORT SMITH, Ark. – The first event of the 2024-25 athletics season is just two days away as the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith cross country teams prepare to run under the lights at the Rogers State Distance after Dark at Mohawk Sports Complex in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

This will be the first of six scheduled races for the Lions, with the women's 5k set to start at 10 p.m. and the men's 4-mile event to follow at 10:30 p.m.

The meet will feature seven women's teams and eight men's teams, comprising of schools from the NAIA, NJCAA and NCAA II.

UAFS brought back nine returners on the women's side, headlined by Rachel Malik, Hailey Malik and Zoe Nesbitt. The trio were the top three finishers for the Lions in five of six races last season. Newcomers Cadence Hodge and Annabella Tedder will also look to make an impact.

On the men's side, the Lions have a mix of seven returners and five newcomers. Four of the newcomers are freshman, while Parker Brown, Isaac Teague and Luke Bledsoe are the top finishing returners from a year ago.

Live timing for Thursday's event can be found here.