TLU Takes Home Top-50 finishes in Canisius Alumni Classic

BUFFALO, NY -- Texas Lutheran's cross country programs traveled to Delaware Park in Buffalo, New York, to compete in the Canisius Alumni Classic on Saturday. The field was littered with Division-I clubs including host Canisius College.

Women's Cross Country finished in 10th with 273 points.

On the men's side, Texas Lutheran posted an 11th place finish with 283 points - less than 10 points behind Division-I Niagra University.

WOMEN'S RECAP

Kristin Lucero (San Antonio/Brennan) was the first finisher for the Bulldogs for the second straight meet, crossing the finish line in 32nd place. The freshman ran the 5K course in 20:35.4. She was joined in the Top-50 by sophomore Caeli Taylor (Tilden/McMullen County), who finished 50th and clocked in at 21:11.4.

Mackenzie Payne (Celina/Frisco Heritage) was the third Bulldog to cross the finish line, taking 51st (21:15.2). Gianna Kennedy (El Paso/El Paso) posted a 22:38.5 to finish 65th and Julia Maciel (San Antonio/Highlands) completed the course in 24:56.2 to place 75th as TLU's final scorer.

MEN'S RECAP

EJ Tongee (Richmond/Fulshear) led the Bulldogs in the 8K race, posting a 44th place finish with a time of 28:41.3. Austin Szewczyk (Round Rock/Cedar Ridge) was the second finisher across the line in 57th, running a 29:57.2.

Matthew Hoffmann (San Antonio/Clark) tabbed a time of 30:14.9 that placed him in 59th and was followed close behind by Johari Dramiga's (San Antonio/East Central) 61st place finish (30:25.5) and Ryan Hernandez's (Dallas/Uplift Peak Preparatory) 62nd place finish (30:35.9).

Texas Lutheran's final competitor was Koby Green (San Antonio/Clark), who ran a 31:03.8 and to place 64th.

Up next for the Bulldogs is postseason meets, as the Bulldogs travel to Live Oak, Texas, for the SCAC Championships on October 30th at Live Oak City Park.