Texas Lutheran Cross Country Competes in NCAA Cross Country Regional

SPOKANE, WA -- The Texas Lutheran cross country program traveled three runners, senior Mackenzie Payne (Celina/Frisco Heritage), junior Caeli Taylor (Tilden/McMullen County), and sophomore Carlos Cura (Midkiff/Rankin) to Spokane, Washington to compete in the NCAA Division-III West Regional meet hosted by Whitworth University Saturday morning at Plantes Ferry Sports Complex.

The Bulldogs didn't travel enough to compete as a "team" to place in either race, so instead the Bulldogs participants ran as individuals. Payne led the Bulldogs duo in the women's race, finishing in 106th place with a time of 25:11.3 while junior Caeli Taylor was 112th with a time of 25:21.2. In the men's race, Carlos Cura finished 135th - clocking in at 28:19.5.

FULL RACE RESULTS CAN BE FOUND HERE: https://live.athletictiming.net/meets/19138

Coach Holland's comments: "Unfortunately things didn't go as planned. It just wasn't our day. In the women's race, Caeli was the first person to take a fall on one of the muddy parts of the course. She was in a big group on a downhill and someone spiked and stepped on her. She ran the majority of the race with the cuts on her ankle. In the men's race Carlos fell in the same vicinity as Caeli had earlier. At least nobody stepped on him. It was disappointing for sure. All three (Mackenzie Payne also raced) were grateful for the opportunity to compete and are looking forward to the Track & Field season."