NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Texas Cross Country dominated the SFA Lumberjack SLC Preview to open the 2016 season with a win for the men and women.
The women started the night off from Pecan Acres Park with a win from sophomore Alex Cruz. She led the way for the Longhorns who finished 1-5-8-10-13 and scored 36 points to win the meet. Houston finished second with 53 points.
On the men’s side it was a commanding victory with the Longhorns finishing 1-2-3-4-7 for a score of 17 points. Pedro Nasta and Spencer Dodds crossed the finish line together to lead the way. Eric Kroon and John Rice followed. Logan Emery finished seventh and Charles Mills was ninth. With Mills crossing as the sixth Longhorn his score would not count toward the team total, but help Texas show its depth with six runners in the top 10.
“Both teams opened up with some positive things. With individual and team wins both groups were able to pack it up well. This race was meant to introduce many of the new Longhorns to collegiate racing,” said Cross Country Coach Brad Herbster.
The women’s team also showed it will have quality depth from its younger runners. Texas ran five freshmen on Friday night and two sophomores. Cruz, a sophomore, crossed the finish line of the two-mile race in 5:37.9. She also opened the 2015 season with a win last year. All seven runners finished 22nd or better for the women. Redshirt freshman Jordan Welborn followed her in fifth place.
“Alex led wire to wire and was in total control throughout the race. Jordan competed well and the freshmen helped close out the team victory for the women,” Herbster said. “The men grouped it up early and controlled the race from the gun. Spencer and Pedro did a nice job leading the team for the win. Having two freshmen and two sophomores in the top four speaks volumes for the future.”
Texas will host the Longhorn Invitational next Friday night at Hancock Golf Course. The women will run at 6 p.m. with the men to follow at 6:30 p.m.
SFA Lumberjack SLC Preview Team Scoring
Men’s Scoring
1: Texas, 17
2: Stephen F. Austin, 71
3: Sam Houston State, 79
4: Houston, 88
5: Houston Baptist, 110
Women’s Scoring
1: Texas, 36
2: Houston, 53
3: Stephen F. Austin, 65
4: Sam Houston State, 91
5: Houston Baptist, 120
Texas Men’s Individuals
place, name, time, score
1: Pedro Nasta, 4:58.7, 1
2: Spencer Dodds, 4:58.7, 2
3: Eric Kroon, 5:02.1, 3
4: John Rice, 5:02.8, 4
7: Logan Emery, 5:05.5, 7
9: Charles Mills, 5:08.9
14: Wesley Ward, 5:12.2
Texas Women’s Individuals
place, name, time (score)
1: Alex Cruz, 5:37.9, 1
5: Jordan Welborn, 4:59.7, 5
8: Marissa Flournoy, 5:53.2, 8
10: Abigail Hirst, 5:54.0, 10
13: Olivia Thompson, 5:58.3, 12
20: Georgia Burner, 6:09.6
22: Gabby Crank, 6:16.8
