MEMPHIS, Tenn. (September 3, 2023) – The 2023 women's cross country season opened with a rare night race on Saturday, as the University of North Alabama finished near the middle of a 21-team pack at the City Auto Memphis Twilight XC Classic in Memphis.
 
The Lions placed 10th overall with 269 points, leading 12th place UT Martin by a wide margin of 59 points. All five of UNA's scored runners finished within the top 90 in a field of 181 runners.
 
Junior Gracie Mathews — a Springville, Ala. native — finished 21st with a time of 19:11.61 to nearly keep pace with Alabama's Autumn Headrick one spot ahead at 19:10.11.
 
Following Mathews was fellow Springville native Beth Ann Tucker, cracking the top 50 with a time of 19:35.48. Laura Mobley was not far behind in 51st at 19:37.31. Rounding out the lineup was senior Emily Daniel at 20:23.64 and true freshman Camille Etheridge at 20:28.77.
 
Middle Tennessee took the top two spots and won as a team with 59 points, followed by Alabama with 84 points and Ole Miss with 99 points. MTSU's Faith Nyathi was the individual medalist with a time of 17:05.91.
 
The Lions are home next Saturday, Sept. 9 for the UNA Invitational hosted at McFarland Park in Florence. The event is open to the public free of charge. The women begin at 7:45 a.m. followed by the men at 8:30 a.m.
 
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.