ARLINGTON, Texas (August 27, 2026) – The United Athletic Conference announced the 2026 preseason coaches' poll and preseason awards for men's and women's cross country on Thursday. The University of North Alabama is ranked fourth on the men's side and sixth on the women's side.
For the men's team, UNA placed fourth of nine teams, receiving 58 votes. EKU is the favorite with 80 votes including eight of nine first-place votes. UT Arlington received 65 votes and one first-place vote. Following in third is Central Arkansas with 62 votes. Behind UNA, the list concludes with Abilene Christian, Little Rock, Tarleton State, West Georgia and Austin Peay.
The Lions have 12 returners, including standout runners Brian Bett and Jack Gruber. Bett returns for his third season at UNA after a stellar freshman and sophomore season. Last season, he collected an ASUN Runner of the Week award and was named to the South All-Region Team after setting the school's 10K program record with his 30:07.2 at the NCAA Division I South Regional.
Gruber enters his sophomore season for the Lions. He earned ASUN Freshman of the Week in 2025 and continued to contribute for the Lions all season. He set a school record for fastest time at the ASUN Championship by an American freshman with a time of 25:08.2.
Paired with the 12 returners are 17 newcomers who look to elevate the program and race with intensity in the 2026 season. This will be one of the larger rosters in program history due to the addition of men's and women's track for this coming spring.
For the women's team, UNA sits sixth of the nine schools receiving 47 votes. EKU claims the top spot with 80 votes and eight first-place votes. Following EKU is UT Arlington, Central Arkansas, Abilene Christian (which received one first-place vote) and Tarleton State. UNA sits ahead of Little Rock, West Georgia and Austin Peay.
The women return seven runners, including speedy Sandra Maiyo. Maiyo transferred from MTSU and led the Lions in 2025. She finished first at both the UNA Invitational and the Gans Creek Classic, then made history for the Lions by beating a 40-year 5K record at the ASUN Championship with a time of 17:07.1 to earn a Second-Team All-ASUN selection. She then broke the 6K record at the 2025 NCAA South Regional in Huntsville.
Back for seconds is Audrey Becker. After a notable freshman season, highlighted with an ASUN Freshman of the Week award, Becker enters her sophomore season with some experience. She looks to vocally lead the Lions in the 2026 season as they add 10 newcomers.
Eastern Kentucky swept the preseason men's and women's runner of the year awards in addition to being first in both preseason polls.
The Lions will open the 2026 season with the UNA Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 5. The women will run a 5K at 7:45 a.m. and the men will run an 8K 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.
