LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama men's and women's cross-country teams are set to compete at the regional stage this weekend, competing at the NCAA South Region Championship on Saturday, Nov. 8, at Holloway Park (Lakeland, Fla.). The women's 6K race will begin at 7:40 a.m., followed by the men's 10K at 8:40 a.m.
The Tigers will line up against some of the top programs in the Region, including fellow Gulf South Conference teams, the Sunshine State Conference, and SIAC.
After an impressive weekend at the GSC Championships, West Alabama will look to build from their previous performances, where multiple tigers set new personal bests.
Leading the Tigers for the women was sophomore Mercy Lomuria, who turned in a remarkable performance last weekend, finishing sixth overall in the women's 6K with a personal-best time of 21:14.37. Lomuria's performance not only headlined the meet but also earned her the GSC Freshman of the Year title—making her the first runner in program history to receive the honor.
Joining Lomuria in the lineup will be Miriam Dominguez-Tellez, Rita Walker, Augusta Arnold, and Laurel Morse, each of whom posted career-best times at the conference meet. The Tigers' women's squad has shown steady improvement throughout the fall, and Saturday's regional will offer another chance to cap their season with strong individual and team performances.
On the men's side, the Tigers will send an experienced group to Lakeland, led by graduate student Mathis Breton, who once again paced the team at the GSC Championships. Mathis will be joined by Sha'Kenye Darden, Gary Mata, Jentzen Smith, Lorenzo Pelusi, Jonathan Phillips, and Julian Council—a group that has demonstrated consistency and determination all season long.
At the conference meet, nearly the entire men's roster set new personal records in the 8K, helping the Tigers secure a sixth-place team finish and close out the regular season with confidence. Their collective progress underscores the depth and development of the program heading into regional competition.
Saturday's NCAA South Region Championship marks the culmination of a season defined by growth, resilience, and record-breaking performances for both UWA squads. With personal bests across the board and several top-10 team finishes, the Tigers have positioned themselves to make a strong statement on the regional stage.
