TLU Cross Country teams post season-best times at Disney Cross Country Classic
ORLANDO -- Texas Lutheran Women's and Men's Cross Country teams posted season-best results Saturday at the Disney World Cross Country Classic.
TLU senior Kylee Garcia posted a top-20 finish with a 5K time of 19 minutes, 40.6 seconds.
Mackenzie Payne and Jackie Garcia came home in 60th and 64th, respectively, with times of 21:35.70 and 21:49.90.
Gabrielle Gonzales and Julia Maciel collected finishes of 74th and 86th, respectively, with times of 22:19.70 and 22:59.20.
The Bulldogs placed 11th in the team standings out of the 16 teams competing. The field largely was made up of NCAA Division I and Division II schools.
"Whenever you race in Florida for cross country, you have to expect some steamy temperatures, and that's what we were dealt," said Darlene Holland, TLU's head coach for women's and men's cross country. "It was a little more humid than we see in Seguin, but at least the races were run in the morning, so that definitely helped. It was a great weekend for us as a team."
"The women ran well. They raced after the men, so the temperatures were a tad bit warmer, but the ladies embraced it and ran very well. A few personal records on the women's side, and a lot of enthusiasm moving forward as a team. Kylee Garcia had a good race, finishing 19th in the largely Division 1 and Division 2-laden race, and Jackie Garcia ran a huge PR."
The TLU Men competed with four runners and did not figure into the team standings since five runners are required to score as a team.
Juan Moreno led the Bulldogs with a 70th-place finish and a time of 30:27.20 over the 8K course. Hector Hornedo crossed the line in 32:09.30 and placed 90th.
Christopher Torres and Koby Green placed 99th and 100th, respectively, with times of 32:59.80 and 33:04.01.
"The men have been coming off of injuries, so it was good to see them improve on their times so quickly," said Holland. "Not to mention that when you walk around a theme park the day before, you can't expect PRs. But we saw PRs and were happy with the race.
"The energy level is up and we are looking forward to the fast racing conditions this week as we head to California."
The Bulldog squads race next Saturday at the University of California at Riverside Highlander Invite in Riverside, Calif.