FLORENCE, Ala. (September 9, 2023) – For the second straight season, the University of North Alabama swept its annual home cross country meet — the UNA Invitational — at McFarland Park with a pair of wins by the men's and women's teams on Saturday.
The Lions had a tight battle against a former rival, West Florida, but ultimately came out on top with a three-point advantage in the team standings. UNA won with 26 points, followed by UWF (29), Calhoun Community College (87), Talladega (124) and Lane College (137).
West Florida's Zach Fenton took medalist honors, but not far behind were UNA graduate runners
Fedrick Kipyego and
Brandon Lee to take silver and bronze. The duo once again led the Purple & Gold as Kipeygo crossed the line at 25:09.55 and Lee followed at 25:15.40.
The Argonauts put the pressure on with the next two finishers coming about 40 seconds later, but North Alabama had a trio of Lions finish back-to-back-to-back to secure the victory. Sophomore
Jackson Hamlin edged a pack of three Lions and one Argonaut with a time of 26:01.49 for sixth, followed by junior teammate
Mason Schrader three seconds later at 26:04.49.
UNA true freshman
Brent Lyons and West Florida's Nathan Deboutez were neck-and-neck for the eighth spot right behind Schrader, but Lyons would cross the line first with a time of 26:04.97 followed by Deboutez at 26:05.01.
Four more Lions finished in the top 20 of the 48 runner field, including
Connor Jackson in 11th at 26:21.97,
Adam Nipper in 12th at 26:38.14,
Grayson Hall in 14th at 27:39.69 and
Edan Jamieson in 16th at 28:22.03.
Next week, the Lions will head to Huntsville for the Southern Showcase hosted by Jacksonville State. The men's race begins at 7:30 a.m. and the women's race will follow at 8:20 a.m. at John Hunt Park.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
