The UAH men's and women's cross country teams are set to compete in the 2024 NCAA Division II Cross Country South Region Championships at John Hunt Park on Saturday. The men's 10k race starts at 9 a.m., followed by the women's 6k at 10:15 a.m. UAH men are ranked No. 14 nationally and No. 2 in the region after a strong showing at the Gulf South Conference Championships, while the women rank fifth in the South Region. Notable competitors include senior Sam Wilhelm and Aylin Vega, both of whom recently earned All-GSC honors.

By the Numbers
  • The UAH men are No. 14 nationally and No. 2 in the South Region.
  • Sam Wilhelm was crowned GSC Individual Champion on Oct. 26.
  • Aylin Vega recorded a 12th place finish with a time of 22:45.8 at the GSC Championships.
Yes, But

Despite their strong rankings and individual performances, previous championships show UAH men and women will face tough competition, as last year both teams finished lower in the standings compared to their current positions.

State of Play
  • The men's team aims to improve on last year's fourth-place result at the regional championships.
  • The women's team looks to advance further after placing eighth in 2023.
What's Next

The top three teams from each race will qualify for the NCAA National Championships on Nov. 23 in Sacramento. Additionally, the top two non-advancing runners can earn individual berths to Nationals, impacting both teams' strategies.

Bottom Line

UAH has positioned itself as a competitive force at the NCAA South Region Championships, but the teams must leverage their individual successes to advance to the national stage. The pressure is on to exceed last year’s performances and secure qualifying spots.