Graham's win gives XC the edge over Cards at UIW Invite

UIW XC Invitational Results
 

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LIVE OAK, Texas – Junior Carnley Graham's victory in addition to three top-seven finishes gave the Wildcats' women's cross country team a two-point win, 36-38, over their rivals from Incarnate Word Saturday at the UIW Invitational hosted by Live Oak Park.

In winning her second race of the season, Graham completed the 6K course in 22:01 and finished nine seconds ahead of runner-up Estefani Paredes (22:10). The Wildcats also claimed the third, sixth and seventh spots to break up a pack of Cardinals led by fourth-place finisher Alia Henderson (23:28.6). ACU sophomore Hannah Marut claimed the bronze-medal time of 23:26.6, while her classmates Soren Underwood and Briahna Gerlach posted marks of 23:48.7 and 23:50.7. 

The next four Cardinals placed fifth, eighth, ninth and 12th, and then ACU's fifth-place runner – sophomore Aubrey Young – came in 19th place with her time of 25:28.0.

There were 79 runners competing in the 6K from 10 schools.

"This meet served it's intended purpose," said head ACU head cross country coach Jarvis Jelen, "which was mainly to have our top pack working together for most of the race and to gain confidence heading into conference. The women executed the race plan well and did a great job winning individual battles at the end."

ACU's men's team finished sixth of 11 schools as it entered only five runners. Freshman Levi Chambers recorded the Wildcats' fastest 8K time of 27:12.0 followed by senior Travis Nichols (28:19.9), freshman Grant O'Neil (28:38.4), sophomore Seth Crockett (29:03.8) and junior Drew Cummings (30:14.1).

"We held out a couple of our top guys and tried to pack up where we could," added Jelen. "Unfortunately, we got buried way too far back in the field early and were not able to close the gaps back down. We've not been able to field a complete team yet this year, but are putting that behind us and looking forward to getting it done when it counts, at conference and regionals."

UIW won the men's team title with a near-perfect 18 points led by individual champion Garett Cortez (25:18.8).

The Wildcats return to action next Saturday, Oct. 13 at their home course of McMurry's Bill Libby Invitational.