ACU cross country posted personal best’s across the board and the women’s squad took third overall in the Texas A&M Invitational on Saturday. With some of the biggest names from the SEC, Big 12 and Southland conferences competing at the invitational, the Wildcats proved they can compete with the best of them.
The women’s team was led by junior Alexandria Hackett who finished second overall behind first place winner from the University of Texas, Karis Jochen. Hackett ran a 6k career best of 20:11. Three spots later in fifth place, teammate Diana Garcia-Munoz came in with a time of 20:38.
Freshman Aubrey Till cracked the top-40 spot quickly followed by fellow freshman Carnley Graham. Sophomore Bella Gutierrez and senior Marina Guerrero would round out the final spots for ACU.
The Wildcats snagged two of the top five spots and also had all six Wildcats finishing in the top portion of the 147 total runners. With such a strong showing by the women, they ended up finish with 107 points boosting them to the third place overall spot.
“This victory proves that we are where we need to be, but we still have to remain humble,” assistant coach Ray Walker said.
The men’s team faced their first 8k of the season and once again, senior Daniel Block led the way for the Wildcats and finished with a 25:12 time. Sophomore Ryan Cleary was next in line for the Wildcats, finishing in the top half of the field of 154 runners with his time of 25:32.
Both runners finished with lifetime bests under their belts.
Overall, the men’s team would claim the 15th spot as a team with 422 points. The top three spots would be filled by the Longhorns, North Texas and Missouri.
Both teams are back in action next weekend as they travel to Arkansas to compete in the Chill Pepper Cross Country Festival.
“It’s another big meet and more competition. We just have to remember that it is bigger than us and that is what is going to keep us focused,” Walker said.
