TULSA, Okla. – Freshman Cadence Hodge broke the program record in the 5k in her first collegiate race as University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Cross Country opened the season at the Rogers State Distance After Dark Thursday.

Hodge earned a top-10 finish by placing ninth in 17:53.9, becoming the first Lion to break the 18-minute mark. Hodge broke the record of Rachel Malik, who had a time of 18:05.51 set during her freshman season in 2022. Following Hodge in the running order was Hailey Malik in 31^st in 18:59.4 and Zoe Nesbitt in 42^nd in 19:42.3.

Completing the top five for the Lions were Madison Thurston and Annabella Tedder in 44^th and 47^th, respectively. Thurston finished in 19:46.2 and Tedder in 20:14.2.

UAFS placed fifth as a team with 124 points.

"We could not have asked for a better start to our season," said head coach Mason Rhodes. "Both squads turned in competitive finishes across the board. This is a highly motivated group of athletes and it is going to be a very exciting season to be a Lion."

For the men, it was freshman Troy Ferguson leading the way in the four-mile event by placing 39^th with a time of 21:39.7. Parker Brown was next in 21:59.9 in 52^nd while Luke Bledsoe and Adan Castillo finished back-to-back in 22:36.2 and 22:43.6 to place 57^th and 58^th, respectively.

Also finishing back-to-back were Conrad Trezza and Isaac Teague in 62^nd and 63^rd, respectively. Trezza finished in 22:53.5 and Teague in 22:56.4.

The Lions finished sixth as a team with 188 points.

Up next for UAFS is the Missouri Southern Stampede September 20 in Joplin, Missouri.