TULSA, Okla. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Cross Country opened the season Thursday under the lights at the RSU Distance After Dark, where each team earned a ninth-place finish.
The women totaled 253 points while the men finished with 237 points.
Michaela Kaelin (PB) led the women for the first time in her career, one of six Lions to post a personal best in the 5k. Kaelin posted a time of 19:24.4, just ahead of Neveah Kangas in 19:37.6.
Freshmen consisted of four of the top five runners for the Lions and five of the top seven. Olivia Prothro (PB) was the third Lion to finish in 19:57.3 while Angelina Hernandez (PB) and Molly Gream (PB) rounded out the top five in 20:01.5 and 20:17.8, respectively.
Cypress Erickson (PB) and Annabella Tedder completed the scoring lineup for UAFS in 20:20.3 and 21:12.8. Karley Sharp also had a personal best of 21:34.1.
"The teams had an excellent start to the season," head coach Mason Rhodes said. "We competed very well and beat a number of teams on both sides."
In the men's race, Evan Smith broke the program record in the four-mile event with a 20:53.1 to place 16th. Troy Ferguson was the next Lion to cross the line in 21:50.5 with Trenton Smith finishing in 22:05.3.
Adan Castillo (PB) and Gannon Reins rounded out the top five in 22:15.8 and 22:30.3 while Samuel Bulmer (PB) and Alex Martinez made up the top seven for the Lions in 22:57.8 and 23:22.6.
