NEW ORLEANS, LA. – South Alabama's men's and women's cross country teams opened the 2026 season Friday night at the Battle for New Orleans at Lake Oaks Park Cross Country Course.
 

The women's team finished fifth. Charleen Elizondo placed highest for the Jaguars, finishing 23rd with a time of 15:12.4.

On the men's side, the Jaguars finished second. Brady Keller led the team with a third-place finish and a time of 14:29.3.
 

Men's Top Five Team Finishes - 5k

1. Tulane (18)
2.  South Alabama (64) 
3. Loyola-New Orleans (79) 
4. New Orleans (109) 
5. Nicholls State (138) 

3. Brady Keller 14:29.3 /15. Blayton Bernard 15:30.4/17. Smith Tyler 15:39.2 /21. Colin Hite 15:59.4 /33. Dylan Torres 16:44.1

Women's Top Five Team Finishes

1. Tulane

2. Southern Miss

3. LSU

4. New Orleans

5. South Alabama 

South Alabama Women's Individual Top 10 Finishes - 4k 

23. Charleen Elizondo  15:12.4 / 24. Alyssa Mabry 15:22.2 / 29. Bella Biggerstaff  15:38.6  / 34. Samantha Menikheim 15:52.8 /40. Emily Miles 16:03.9\

Post-Match Notes: 

• With Keller's final time tonight, he broke his personal best of 15:30.79, set last year at the Battle for New Orleans.

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