By Alex Boggis, UT Martin Assistant Sports Information Director
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The University of Tennessee at Martin cross country programs finished the season on a high note at the NCAA South Region Championship contested in Huntsville, Ala. this morning against the best-of-the-best in the region.
On a damp morning in Huntsville, the Skyhawks competed against a loaded field and saw several personal achievements recorded.
On the women’s side, the Skyhawks competed in a 6k race and finished 30th overall. Junior Lilia Alvarez paced the team with a time of 22:38.2 to finish just over four seconds off her career PR. Sophomore Lydia Tankersley ranked second on the team while recording a PR of 22:46.3.
Sophomore Cierra Nord was the third finisher for the Skyhawks with a time of 23:07.4 while freshman Maggie Roy recorded a new PR of 23:43.1. Rounding out the scoring five was sophomore Tori Holliday at 23:58.1.
UT Martin’s men took a step up in distance with the 10k race. The Skyhawks finished the meet in 14th place to post the second-best placement in program history at the regional event. Leading the way for the squad was sophomore Will Cahill who trimmed over 80 seconds off his previous PR with a 51st place finish at 31:04.4. Trailing close behind was graduate Luke McNair who finished 62nd overall with a time of 31:24.3 in his final cross country competition.
Fellow team veteran, senior George Payne came in third for the Skyhawks after narrowly missing his PR by less than a second at 32:05.0. Reigning OVC Freshman of the Year Luke Johnson came in fourth for the team with a PR time of 32:14.0 while senior newcomer Jack Blyth wrapped up the team’s scoring performances by shattering his previous PR by well over a minute with a time of 32:18.0.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information