Romeoville, Illinois - The Kingsville cross country teams made the long trip to northeastern Illinois for well worth it as they battled with dozens of nationally-ranked teams at the Lewis Crossover.

In their final competition before the Lone Star Conference Championship in a few weeks, the Javelinas competed in three different races. Freshman Nirmit Dahiya running in his first ever collegiate race, the Men's Championship 8k, followed by the women's team in the Women's Championship 6k, and the rest of the men's squad in the Men's Open race.

The competition was the best TAMUK has seen all season, providing the teams a great opportunity to prepare for the postseason. The men's side had 16 national ranked teams or teams receiving national votes, while the women's had 12 - including three of the top five. All eight of the NCAA's regions were represented at the Invite with a total of more than 1,000 athletes. 

Dahiya opened the day for Kingvsille, and his collegiate career, with a 26:35.30 8k, the fastest time run by a Javelina this year. 

Not long after, the top three Javelinas for the women's team ran sub-23-minute, each placing in the top 100 of the race. Senior Maya Espinosa led the way for TAMUK once again, running 22:12.49 6k, good for 49th place overall. Junior Ivanova Yanes was less than ten seconds behind, notching a 22:22:07 for 63rd. Senior Odette Fernandez rounded out the top three with a 22:52.87 for 97th. Overall, the team took 21st with an average time of 23:30.

"We beat some really good teams from all over the country," Assistant Coach Zach Hall said. "Maya and Iva had great days, they showed today that they are ready for conference and regionals."

The rest of the men's squad were once again led by its trio of excellent freshman, Robert Alejandro, Rovert Trevino, and Jose Garcia. Alejandro finished in 41st place (26:42.60), Trevino took 63rd (27:12.00), and Garcia took 72nd (27:17.40). Rounding out the team's top five were Abner Villanueva and Alan Baez, who finished exactly half a second apart. Villanueva ran a 28:27.70, taking 125th, and Baez grabbed 126th with a 28:27.20.

"The men had a solid performance today," Hall said. "They are getting more comfortable with the 8k distance."

The teams will be back in action for the Lone Star Conference Championship, which TAMUK will host, on October 26th.

Full results are available here.