NEW ORLEANS, La. (August 26, 2025) – The U.S Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced its Week 1 region rankings this week, listing North Alabama as the No. 15 team in the South Region.
 
Last season, the men did not get ranked in the South Region preseason poll but were quickly ranked after the first week of the season.
 
The USTFCCCA ranks teams off the finish from a season ago and the Lions finished 15th at the 2024 NCAA South Regional. North Alabama bested programs such as Vanderbilt, Miami (Fla.), Samford, FGCU and others.
 
The men's team finished in with three straight top-half finishes to begin the season a year ago as then freshman Brian Bett stormed onto the scene with an individual crown and two top-10 finishes.
 
"It's great to be recognized and know people are watching," said second year head coach Connor Callahan. "With this, we have to continue to sustain and push forward on the success we had last season. We have a mix of returns and newcomers that are hungry to keep this momentum."
 
North Alabama is one of three Atlantic Sun Conference teams in the preseason poll with Lipscomb and North Florida the other two.
 
There are only four regular season races for the Lions this year. They return to Huntsville for the Southern Showcase, Gans Creek Classic and Crimson Classic. They finished 13th, 27th and eighth, respectively, in those races in 2024.
 
UNA returns seven runners from last season in Bett, Vincent Chepkwony, Jackson Hamlin, Rogan Hanson, Brent Lyons, Thomas Ludwig and Aidan Shannon. Callahan hit the recruiting trail and added seven runners this past offseason – all freshman.
 
The Lions get going for the start of the season at home for the UNA Invitational at McFarland Park in Florence, Ala. on Friday, Sept. 5.
 
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.