JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (August 20, 2025) – The Atlantic Sun Conference revealed the preseason cross country rankings this morning, as the head coaches voted North Alabama fifth of 12 teams on the men's side and eighth on the women's side.
Last season, the men finished fifth at the ASUN cross country meet in Jacksonville, Fla. as Brian Bett took home the individual championship for the first in school history. The women finished seventh at the ASUN championship headlined by a top-30 finish from Laura Mobley.
Both of these finishes were significant jumps from the 2023 season, as the men moved up four spots and the women moved up two.
Bett took the world by storm last season, oh yeah, and the courses too. Then Kenya native won 2024 ASUN Runner of the Year, Freshman of the Year, a first-team All-ASUN selection and an ASUN All-Freshman Team honoree.
He won three ASUN Runner of the Week Awards, four ASUN Freshman of the Week Awards and an All-South Region Team honor. He set countless records en route to taking the title and setting ablaze the five ASUN trophy season for UNA Athletics.
On the women's side, historic runners like Laura Mobley, Gracie Mathews, Beth Ann Tucker, Ashlyn Anderson and Emily Daniel all graduate from the program. Graduate Aaliyah Charo and junior Camille Etheridge headline the returners.
The men return the likes of Vincent Chepkwony, Brent Lyons, Aidan Shannon, Rogan Hanson and Jackson Hamlin who all helped make the ASUN finish possible. They led the Lions to a 15th place finish at the South Regionals as well.
Even more exciting are the additions that may push the Lions over the edge this season. After the reaching new heights last year, head coach Connor Callahan went on the recruiting prowl.
He added transfers Sammy Sang and Sandra Maiyo, both sophomores from Middle Tennessee State University, to bolster their rosters. Seven freshmen are added on the men's side, while the women add two.
To discuss the additions, former Lion Noah Bonsall joins the staff in graduate assistant role for the upcoming season. He is a four-year standout who looks to gel the new additions quickly to the Florence community while showcasing what it means to be a Lion.
North Alabama returns to the course on Friday, Sept. 5 as they host their seventh annual UNA Invitational just down the road at McFarland Park.
Men's Runner of the Year: Justine Kipoech, EKU
Women's Runner of the Year: Edna Chelulei, EKU
Men's Preseason Coaches Poll
Pl. Team (1st Place Votes) Points
1. EKU (12) 144
2. Lipscomb 124
2. North Florida 124
4. Bellarmine 106
5. North Alabama 90
6. Central Arkansas 79
7. Queens 74
8. FGCU 60
9. Stetson 54
10. West Georgia 38
11. Jacksonville 25
12. Austin Peay 18
Women's Preseason Coaches Poll
Pl. Team (1 st Place Votes) Points
1. Lipscomb (10) 142
2. EKU (2) 125
2. North Florida 125
4. Central Arkansas 107
5. FGCU 87
6. Bellarmine 79
7. Queens 68
8. North Alabama 67
9. Jacksonville 45
10. Austin Peay 37
11. Stetson 36
12. West Georgia 18
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
