HOBBS, New Mexico — The South Plains College men's and women's cross country teams competed in their third meet of the season on Friday evening at the New Mexico Junior College Open at Harry McAdams Park.
The Texans, who came in ranked sixth in the latest USTFCCCA polls, finished first with a team average of 22:13.04 as they placed four runners in the top seven. Ranked fifth in the USTFCCCA national poll, the fifth-ranked Lady Texans earned a third place overall finish with a team average of 20:29.84.
Sophomore Andrew Bosquez led the Texans as he turned in a final time of 21:35.39 to take first overall amongst 77 runners. South Plains' Filmon Beyene posted a time of 21:59.76, good enough for fifth, while freshman Japhet Toroitich took sixth with a 22:12.43, and Jesse Madrid placed seventh with a time of 22:18.39.
"Andrew got out there and took control, and our guys ran hard and it showed today," South Plains assistant coach Frank Barker said. "From top to bottom I thought our guys competed well and got after it. Our gap between our fourth and fifth runner is still too wide, and if we can close that we will continue to improve and be a force come nationals."
The Lady Texans were once again led by freshman Gladys Jemaiyo who clocked a final time of 18:03.75, placing second amongst 82 runners. Freshman Dorcus Ewoi earned a top 10 finish as she crossed the line at 19:12.79 to take seventh, while Plains, Texas native Angela Rodriguez placed 18th overall with a time of 20:42.55.
"Our women's team has been fighting the injury bug for a couple weeks and it showed a little today, but that's the nature of distance running and our kids always give everything they have," Barker said. "Our top two girls ran well and competed against a very good El Paso Community College team, and we were right there next to them competing as hard as we could."
South Plains will be back on the course on Saturday, October 6 in Levelland when they host the 2018 South Plains College Open. For more information, visit spctexans.com.
Full men's results: http://www.nmjcthunderbirds.com/sports/xc/2018-19/files/2018_nmjc_invitational_men-s_results.pdf
Full women's results: http://www.nmjcthunderbirds.com/sports/xc/2018-19/files/2018_nmjc_invitational_women-s_results.pdf
Photos: https://spctexans.smugmug.com/2018-NMJC-Cross-Country-Open