FAYETTEVILLE, AR: The Texas Wesleyan University men and women's cross country teams took part in one of the largest cross country events in the country, the University of Arkansas' Chile Pepper Festival, on Saturday. The Lady Rams posted a 26th place finish while the Rams finished 34th in the massive meet.
The men's competition featured 426 runners and 63 teams. The Rams placed 34th amongst 45 teams in the college division which featured 301 individuals.
Arkansas' Alex George led the field through the 8K course in 23:33.12 while the Razorbacks won the University division with a paltry score of 32.
Colorado School of Mines won the College division with 62 points, while Missouri Southern State University's Vincent Kiprop was the individual winner with the quickest time of the day at 23:03.88.
Fernando Orellana led the Rams with a time of 26:31.36 to finish 105th.
Alan Ramirez was just 10 seconds further back at 26:41.35.
Joe Pembroke ran 28:24.95.
Cristian Hernandez ran 29:33.89.
Joseph Eisen finished in 29:50.45, and
Nikolas Westfall scored 30;57.64.
The women's competition featured 58 teams and 492. Arkansas won the University division with 22 points. Karissa Schweizer of the University of Missouri was the individual winner with a 5K time of 16:09.83, while each of the next four individuals were all Razorbacks.
In the College division, Oklahoma City's Aminat Olowora paced the field with a time of 16:16.81. While CSU Pueblo was the top team with 80 points.
Maria Galarza led the Rams in a time of 19:21.18 for a solid 79th place finish.
Melissa Gonzalez finished in 19:53.43 to place 116th.
Abby Chaidez (20:26.96) and
Kaitlyn Mendoza (20:26.99) crossed the line together, and
Carrie Finson ran 21:31.45.
The Rams are scheduled to return to action on Saturday when they take part in the Oklahoma Baptist Invitational in Shawnee, OK.
Texas Wesleyan Results
Men
105
Fernando Orellana 26:31.36
115
Alan Ramirez 26:41.35
219
Joe Pembroke 28:24.95
254
Cristian Hernandez 29:33.89
260
Joseph Eisen 29:50.45
269
Nikolas Westfall 30:57.64
Women
79
Maria Galarza 19:21.18
116
Melissa Gonzalez 19:53.43
155
Abby Chaidez 20:26.96
156
Kaitlyn Mendoza 20:26.99
192
Carrie Finson 21:31.45
