Crusaders Run First 8k of the Season at Texas Tech Open

September 16, 2023

LUBBOCK, Texas - The University of Dallas men's cross country team competed in the Texas Tech Open 8k on Friday, placing 16th in the field of 17 teams comprised of Division II, Division III, and junior college programs. The Crusaders were without their number three runner, Bruce Reed, as he was out due to illness.

It was the first 8k of the season for Dallas, who have run a 3 mile and a 5k thus far, and it was a wet, sloppy course with storms having just passed through the area.  With over 160 athletes in the race, Nico Walz led the pack for Dallas by placing 119th with a time of 30:33.40.  Thomas Skendzel was next with a time of 31:33.70, and James Latour rounded out the top three for UD with a time of 34:16:.40.

Alexsandr Kulda and Tim Kus finished one after the other with times of 42:51.30 and 42:57.30, respectively.

It was something of a homecoming meet for James Latour, who is originally from Lubbock and graduated from Lubbock High School.  His family hosted a team dinner the night before, and both the men's and women's programs did community service work at Christ the King Cathedral School after the meet, working on arts and crafts with elementary school kids and doing a Q&A session with junior high and high school kids.

"It was a tough day for us, we didn't quite reach the levels I think we are capable of, though I know it was a really sloppy and slow course today," said head coach Nick Schneigert.  "We have a few weeks until our next 8k, hopefully we can avoid nasty weather and get ourselves back on track and closer to our goals when.  This was a good learning experience, especially for our freshmen.  I have no doubt that with their excellent work ethic they will come out stronger because of this meet."

The Crusaders are off for three weeks before their next meet.  They won't be beack in action until the DBU Old Glory Gallop on Oct. 7.