HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (November 14, 2025) – The University of North Alabama cross country teams competed Friday morning at the South Regional, their final team races of the season.
"Pack your confidence," said head coach Connor Callahan in a message to the team earlier this week.
It seemed to be in tow, as the Lions added six personal records and seven new record book entries.
Brian Bett led the men to 17th as he set the 10K school record with his 30:07.1 on Friday morning to place him 19th. The sophomore passed the freshman version of himself, who set the 10K record in the 2024 South Regional.
This gives Bett back-to-back All-Region accolades after his 30:34.9 for 20th place a season ago.
Sandra Maiyo ran a 20:45.3 to break the 19-year 6K record held by Emry McKay. McKay set the record a the 2006 Division II Championship with her 20:51. The sophomore bested her Gans Creek 6K (21:21.1) from earlier this season by nearly 36 seconds.
"Last chance," said Callahan as the men's group huddled one last time. "The ladies set the tone with PRs — it is time to lay it on the line for your brothers."
The men saw 202 runners span across 27 teams as they flew past the No. 11 South Region ranked UT Martin Skyhawks by 29 points.
Alongside Bett, sophomore Vincent Chepkwony etched his name in the record book once again with his time of 31:28.9 to give him sixth all-time. Junior Aidan Shannon ran a 32:32.5, a near two-minute personal record on his birthday, placing him 11th all-time.
The freshman Jack Gruber made noise in his South Regional debut, placing right behind Shannon in the record book at 12th with a 32:45.5. Sammy Sang (33:36.0) and Brent Lyons (33:39.0) finish 22nd and 24th in the record books under the 10K category. Senior Jackson Hamlin closed out the men's squad with his 34:22.6.
"Empty the tank," said Callahan as he scanned each Lion runners' face. "Finish on E. I asked for one last time at Conference — give me one more time here today."
The women finished 27th of the 28 teams that raced, but the placement doesn't quantify the results the ladies left on the course.
Four of the six Lions set new personal records with one of the final two setting the 6K record — a solid cap to the end of the season some may say.
How tough was the field? The first six women finishers to cross all broke the 2024 South regional record with a the first-place finisher earning a new course record at John Hunt Park.
Maiyo soared for the Lions, behind her followed Audrey Becker and her 23:41.2. Savannah Williams was the third Lion to cross with a 24:04.9 while Cambree Bradford was on her heels with her 24:07.5.
Senior Traci Pettus closed her college career with a 24:27.3 while Taylor Williams finished out the scoring with a 24:36.3.
Becker, Bradford, Pettus and Taylor Williams were the four to find personal records on Friday — Bradford shattered her Gans Creek 6K time (26:13.6) by over two minutes.
The women's team beat out Georgia Southern by 44 points to close the season.
"When you can end the season with multiple personal record's, it makes for an exciting day," said Callahan. "The team once again gave it everything they had. I'm grateful that we get to bring back nearly everyone from these two squads next season. We will continue to get better and build on the culture we've developed throughout this year."
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