BISMARCK, ND – The University of Mary women's cross country team is gearing up for an exciting new season, and all eyes are on their star athlete, Alyssa Becker, as they prepare to make their mark at the 8th Annual Dragon Twilight Cross Country Meet on Friday, September 8, 2023. Start time in the 4000 meter race is 7:30 pm and will be held on the campus f meet host MSU Moorhead.
 
The Dragon Twilight Meet has become a pivotal event on the UMary calendar, and the anticipation is palpable. In 2022, the Marauders delivered an outstanding team performance, clocking a total team time of 1 hour, 10 minutes, and 53 seconds, with an average time of 14 minutes and 10 seconds. This collective effort earned them a remarkable second-place finish, accumulating a total team score of 60 points. The top-placing NCAA Division II school, only an NCAA Division I program outpaced the Marauders quintuplet.
Now, fueled by the momentum of their previous success, the UMary women's team is determined to secure the top spot in this year's event. Under the watch of second year Head Coach Chris Lessard, they have been preparing for the challenges that lie ahead.
 
UMary's women's team is projected to place 6th in the 2023 Northern Sun Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll. As the Marauders gear up for the event, it's essential to highlight the talented athletes who will be running alongside Becker. The team returns nine runners from last year's squad, including 2022 all-conference runners Becker and Andrijana Fundak.
 
Becker, who secured the runner-up position at the 2022 Northern Sun cross country championships, is the NSIC Athlete to Watch for the Marauders in 2023. With a track record of excellence, including all-region and All-American honors, Becker is a standout athlete poised for another remarkable season.
 
As the UMary women's cross-country team takes on the challenges of the season ahead, the Dragon Twilight Meet is the first chapter in what promises to be an exciting journey towards success.
 
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