CORDOVA, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Southern women's cross country team continued its impressive 2026 campaign Saturday, placing fourth at the Christian Brothers University Invitational while competing against a field highlighted by NCAA Division I programs UT Martin and Arkansas State.
The Firehawks posted a team score of 89 points and an average 6K time of 23:30, finishing ahead of Montevallo and Delta State while trailing only UT Martin, Arkansas State, and host Christian Brothers.
Leading the way once again was junior Vera Maisaje, who continued her historic season with another record-setting performance. Just one week after establishing a new UT Southern 6K school record at the Firehawk Invitational, Maisaje bettered her own mark once again, clocking a 22:14.3 to finish eighth overall against one of the strongest fields the Firehawks have faced this season.
Maisaje averaged 5:57.8 per mile and was one of only eight runners in the field to finish under 22:15. Her performance came against runners from NCAA Division I programs UT Martin and Arkansas State, further cementing her status as one of the top runners in the SSAC.
Senior Alyssa Andrea continued her strong season with a 17th-place finish in 23:18.6, while freshman Uxue Armas turned in another impressive performance by placing 23rd overall in 23:49.0.
Junior Lou-Anne Bernard followed closely behind, finishing 26th in 24:02.8, and senior Claire Deaton rounded out the Firehawks' scoring five with a 27th-place finish in 24:05.7.
Freshman Jessica Needs added a 29th-place finish in 24:20.9, while senior Amelia Worsley crossed the line in 25:06.0.
The Firehawks showed excellent depth throughout the lineup, with several athletes posting personal-best performances. Armas and Bernard both recorded PR efforts, while the tight spread between UT Southern's third through sixth runners highlighted the balance and consistency that has become a hallmark of the squad this season.
Competing against scholarship NCAA Division I programs provided another measuring stick for the Firehawks, who responded with one of their strongest overall performances of the year. The team placed four runners inside the top 27 and had six runners finish within just 32 seconds of one another.
With conference championship season quickly approaching, the race offered another encouraging sign for a UT Southern squad that continues to trend upward. The Firehawks have now posted strong results at the Southern Showcase, Firehawk Invitational, and CBU Invitational while consistently improving throughout the fall.
UT Southern Results
UT Southern will continue preparations for the postseason as the Firehawks look to carry their momentum into the final stretch of the 2026 campaign.
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