State sports briefs

Harding men open with a tie

The Harding University men’s team started the season Thursday with a 1-1 tie against Texas A&M-International in Frisco, Texas.

Harding’s Peter Hmung opened the scoring in the 69th minute off a corner kick taken by Julio Martins.

Texas A&M-International equalized in the 82nd minute as Elias Perales scored on a header on a free kick from Charlie Michel.

Harding goalkeeper Michael Wasson tied a career high with nine saves.

Williams Baptist women fall

Carlee Spears’ fourth goal of the season was not enough for the Williams Baptist University women’s team in a 4-1 loss to Central Christian College on Thursday afternoon in Walnut Ridge.

CROSS COUNTRY

Lyon women, Williams Baptist men win invite

Daisy Connor and Alex Nagle led a strong performance by the Lyon College women as the duo came in first and second, respectively, in the women’s 5K race, leading the Scots to a first-place finish at the second annual Lyon College Invitational on Thursday in Batesville.

The Williams Baptist University women placed second as Kristen Smith led the way with a third-place finish in 25:44.

On the men’s side, Williams Baptist earned its first team victory in a non-dual in school history. John Guyton led the Eagles with a third-place finish in 9:44.89 in a 1.5-mile race that was originally scheduled as a 5K but was shortened because of lightning.

Lyon’s Geoffrey Windsor finished second in 9:51.52, leading his team to second place.

Crowley’s Ridge men and women both finished third.