COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The UTSA cross country programs competed in the third event of their 2017 campaigns Friday evening at the 5,000-meter Aggieland Open, contested at the Watts Cross Country Course. The Roadrunner women were led by Sarah Estrada, while Dario Johnson paced the men.
"We had a great meet in College Station," said coach David Hartman. "This was an opportunity four our freshmen and mid-distance student-athletes to experience a great course and quality competition."
"Today, I had a solid race and I am proud of the progress my teammates have made to this point in the season," said Estrada. "I just want to stay focused and keep working hard as the Conference USA meet quickly approached."
The UTSA women totaled 125 points to place fifth in the eight-team field, finishing ahead of ULM, Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern. Estrada, a sophomore, paced the squad with a 20:24.3 to place 23rd overall. Olivia Flores and Lynette Amaram nearly immediately followed Estrada across the line, clocking times of 20:33.6 and 20:34.9 to place 25th and 26th, respectively. Rian Rodriguez placed 37th with a 21:27.1 and Victoria Gaytan (40th) ran a 21:55.3 to round out the Roadrunner scorers.
Jayela Slack stopped the clock at 22:53.0 to place 49th, followed by freshmen Makenzie Salmonson (56th / 25:02.1) and Kaela Maldonado (57th / 25:35.1).
The Roadrunner men placed sixth in the event, totaling 151 points, defeating UTA and Texas Southern.
"Honestly, going into my first cross country race of the season, I felt like a deer in the headlights," said Johnson. "I was running out of my element as a traditional 800-meter runner, but I just had to trust my coach, our training and push through the obstacles that were thrown at me.
"We all did great as a team. And what really helped was staying together and pushing on another just like we do at practice."
Johnson, who posted a 16:46.0 to place 37th, was the first of four consecutive Roadrunners to cross the line in the men's race. Mason Riley ran a 16:48.5, Omar Bekdache a 16:48.9, Edgar Garcia a 16:49.3 to place 38th, 39th and 40th, respectively. Christian Castellanos came home 56th with a time of 17:27.0 to round out the UTSA scorers.
Jacian Smith clocked a 17:35.1 to place 59th, while Marcus Guajardo ran a 17:40.0 (61st) and Skye Knight a 18:05.2 (64th).
Up next
UTSA returns to action on Fri., Oct. 13 at the Houston Baptist Invitational in Houston.
