FLORENCE, Ala. (September 5, 2026) – The University of North Alabama cross country teams hosted the eighth annual UNA Invitational Saturday morning, with both the men and women's programs taking home the crown.

Both teams scored a perfect score of 15 points. This is the first time that a UNA cross country program scored a perfect 15 across both teams at an UNA Invitational.

Brian Bett started his highly-anticipated junior season off strong, claiming his third UNA Invitational title with a 5K time of 15:23.6. Bett is the only runner in UNA history to claim three crowns at the UNA Invitational.

Transfer junior Isiaah Krieger and true freshman Lincoln Smith followed closely behind Bett, finishing second and third place with times of 15:35.7 and 15:50.8. Rogan Hanson ran a personal best of 15:55.0, claiming fifth place. Aidan Shannon rounded out the scoring five, placing seventh with a personal best of 15:58.5.

Josh Webb and Jack Gruber finished in the top 10 for the Lions. Purple swarmed the finish line as places 11-15 were also UNA runners.

Seven runners ran unattached for the Lions. Graduate Jackson Hamlin led this group with a fourth-place finish with a time of 15:54.5. True freshman Brody Ahlemeyer placed sixth followed by Drew Lester and Christian Greyling who both finished top 20.

The women's team scored a perfect 15 points and placed 10 runners in the top 11 spots. Junior Sandra Maiyo placed second with a time of 19:16.1. Twin runners, Taylor and Savannah Williams took third and fifth. Taylor ran a UNA personal best of 19:22.7 and Savannah ran 19:46.8.

Sophomore Audrey Becker placed fourth with a time of 19:32.1 and true freshman Alexis Renn rounded out the scoring five for the Lions with a time of 19:57.7. In order, Lillie Meeks, Aimee Von Herrmann, Starlyn Edwards and Katie Dumas finished top 10 for the Lions.Jackson State Community College runner Abby Hughes won with a time of 19:03.1, but Jackson State runners did not count to the team score.

The men's team claimed victory in the season opener for the second consecutive year, and with help from newcomers and freshman across both teams, the Lions were left victorious.

"First and foremost, we've got to be better as a season goes on," said head coach Connor Callahan. "Today wasn't our best showing, but as a coach, you always want that to be at the beginning of the year and not at the end of the year. Some of the bright spots would be the jump Taylor made compared to the start of last season. I'm excited to see what good health and training can do for her. On the other side, it was good to see some of our newcomers show up and continue to make an impact and push the guys that have been here. For Isiaah to go out there and run a personal best or close to it in the first race of the season continues to show the work he has put in all summer long. Then you have a freshman in Lincoln who comes in and has a solid race to start his Lions campaign. We will get better from here."

The Lions will race again at the Southern Showcase hosted by Jacksonville State on Friday, Sept. 18 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Ala.

For more information on the eighth annual UNA Invitational, click here. 

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