Women's Cross Country Competes at Texas Tech Open

September 16, 2023

LUBBOCK, Texas - The University of Dallas women's cross country competed in the Texas Tech Open 5k on Friday, placing 15th in the field of 17 teams comprised of Division II, Division III, and junior college programs.

The course was wet and sloppy with storms having ripped through Lubbock the night before.  With over 125 athletes in the race, Teresa Cashen was the first Crusader to cross the finish line with a time of 27:37.00, good enough for 84th.  Bre Looney was next for UD, coming in with a time of 30:57.70, and Giselle Avalos rounded out UD's top three with a time of 32:33.20.

Melissa Gabino came in at 37:26.70, and Brenda Chicas finished in 53:46.50.

This served as a homecoming meet for James Latour, a senior on the men's cross country 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 on this sloppy, slow course, but I was extremely happy with our top three freshmen," said head coach Nick Schneigert.  "Our goal is to make sure they develop and get the experience they need, and I think this meet was a great learning experience for them.  They're going to have four years here with cross country and track & field: they're bought into the culture, having tons of fun, and their work ethic is amazing."

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.