OXFORD, Ala. – Dalton State women's cross country opened its 2026 season with a ninth-place finish in the 5,000-meter race at the JSU Foothills Invitational on Friday.
 
The Lady Roadrunners compiled 313 points, tying Blue Mountain Christian (Miss.) in the team standings while receiving the higher placement. Dalton State finished ahead of Alabama State, West Georgia, Shelton State Community College and Gadsden State Community College among other teams in the field.
 
Junior Kylie Gray led the Lady Birds across the finish line, placing 31st overall with a time of 19:19.8. Gray covered the opening kilometer in 3:43.7 and reached the 2.99-kilometer mark in 11:23.2 before completing the final portion of the course in 7:56.6.

Sophomore Allison Batts was Dalton State's second finisher, recording a time of 20:26.0 to place 55th overall. Batts was followed by sophomore Kate Girard, who finished 75th in 21:10.3.
 
Freshman Yoselin Garcia crossed the line shortly afterward, placing 89th with a time of 21:34.1. Freshman Karli Sams completed Dalton State's five-runner scoring group, finishing 127th in 24:07.2.
 
Freshman Hayleigh Carriveau rounded out the Roadrunners' lineup with a time of 26:39.9, placing 145th overall.
 
Auburn won the team competition with 25 points, while host Jacksonville State placed second with 43. UAB finished third with 106 points.
 
Dalton State Individual Results

• 31. Kylie Gray: 19:19.8
• 55. Allison Batts: 20:26.0
• 75. Kate Girard: 21:10.3
• 89. Yoselin Garcia: 21:34.1
• 127. Karli Sams: 24:07.2
• 145. Hayleigh Carriveau: 26:39.9

UP NEXT
Cross Country will host their next event, Saturday Night Lights, at Grovel Level North Running Course in Varnell, on Saturday, September 12. The meet begins with high school races with the college races following. Meet time for the Lady Roadrunners is 9:25 p.m.

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FIND NEWS AND FOLLOW THE BIRDS: News and updates from Dalton State's women's cross country/track & field team are posted on dsroadrunners.com and on X (@DStateXCTrack), Facebook (@DStateXCTF) and Instagram (dstatexctf). Be sure to follow to keep pace with the Birds!
 
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