NACOGDOCHES, Texas – On Saturday, the Texas A&M – Kingsville cross-country teams opened up their seasons by competing in the Lumberjack Invitational at Pecan Acres Park, as the women locked up a second-place finish while the men finished fourth overall.
"I believe that we made a statement today," said coach
Zachary Hall, "That our women are looking for a podium spot at conference."
It was a flying start to the season for the women's team.
Ivanova Yanes wasted no time getting her season into high gear, leading the women's field to the finish line with a time of 17:10 in the 3 Mile to secure a first-place finish. Nova Southeastern transfer
Maya Espinosa was close behind, snagging fourth-place with a time of 17:41 to give the Javelinas two runners in the top five.
Janeth Chacon had a strong debut as well for the Javelinas, finishing with a time of 18:24 for 11
th-place.
Odette Fernandez also had a solid start to the season with a 18:51, finishing in 16
th-place.
Rounding out the women's team,
Fae Gonzalez and
Destinee Longoria finished 18
th and 24
th respectively. Gonzalez logged a time of 19:06 while Longoria finished with a time of 21:01.
Host school Stephen F. Austin took first place with an overall score of 30. The Javelinas secured second place with 58 points and a decisive win over conference foe UT Tyler, who finished fourth with a total of 79. Sam Houston State rounded out the standings in third with 60 points.
The men's team also logged a solid start to the year, with team leader
Cody Fountain picking up right where he left off. The junior recorded a new personal best in the 6K with a time of 19:18, leading the Javelinas with a 14
th-place finish.
Bradley Griffin also made a strong impression in his collegiate debut, finishing close behind Fountain with a time of 19:21 and 17
th-place.
Freshman
Justin Ramirez joined Fountain and Griffin in the sub-20 club, finishing in 24
th-place with a time of 19:50 in his first race as a Javelina.
The men finished in fourth overall with a score of 97. Stephen F. Austin took the crown in the men's division as well with 28 points, followed by Sam Houston State in second with 47, and UT Tyler rounding out the meet in third with a total of 64.
The Javelinas return to action on Saturday, Sept. 16
th in San Antonio, Texas as they visit Incarnate Word for the UIW Invitational.
