South Plains cross country dominates in Hobbs

South Plains cross country dominates in Hobbs
Posted: Oct 14, 2016

HOBBS, New Mexico—Different week. Same result.

The South Plains College men's cross country team continues to solidify their claim as one of the top programs in the country after another first place finish on Friday at the University of the Southwest.

The Texans finished first overall with a total of 15 points after placing six runners inside the top 10, and swept the top five positions. El Paso Community College placed second with 44 points, while Odessa College finished third with 92.

For the fifth time this season, freshman Felix Kosgei was the first runner to cross the finish line in the men's 8K after posting a final time of 26:04.17.Omero Rodriguez placed second for South Plains with a time of 26:42.36, with Jose Silva placing third with a time of 26:42.61.

Deric Martinez finished fourth for the Texans with a time of 27:20.89, while Conner Hughes took fifth with a time of 27:41.80, and Nicholas Rotichplaced seventh with a time of 27:44.70.

The Lady Texans held their own in the women's 5K after placing three runners inside the top 10 and finished second overall with 36 points. El Paso Community College placed first with 23.

Seselia Dala, a freshman from Amarillo was the first Lady Texan to cross the finish line with a final time of 19:23, good enough for fourth place amongst 32 runners. Leslie Romero finished just 10 seconds behind and took fifth with a time of 19:33, while sophomore Poro Gahekave finished seventh overall with a final mark of 20.23.

"The men had a solid performance. The main thing I was looking for in both the men and women is how well they competed," South Plains head cross country coach Frank Barker said. "They both did a great job, and we are pulling together very well. They all ran with a great deal of intensity, which is what we needed to see. With that 'I want to win' attitude, the future looks very good."

South Plains will be back in action on October 29 in Hobbs, New Mexico as they are set to compete at the Region 5 Cross Country Championships on the campus of New Mexico Junior College.