Cross Country Continues Season on Friday

Friday, September 15

College Station, TX

Abilene Christian

Texas A&M Invite

9/13/2023 2:33:00 PM | Cross Country

By: Ray Fink

ABILENE – Abilene Christian continues its cross country season on Friday at the Texas A&M Invitational at the Watts Cross Country Course in College Station.

The men's eight-kilometer race begins Friday at 8 a.m. with the women's five-kilometer race to follow at 8:45 a.m.

The Wildcats opened the season with a fourth-place men's finish and a sixth-place women's finish at TCU's John McKenzie Invitational last month.

Representing the ACU men on Friday are Kevin Castruita, Samuel Lanham, Jacob Russell, Gabe Embree, Zach Martin, Mikhail Fortner, O'Brien Verdin and Garrison Shindler.

Castruita led the Wildcat men in 11th place in the season opener at 15:17.20 with Embree (14th, 15:25.70) and Shindler (18th, 15:31.70) joining him in the top 20.

Freshman Zach Martin was 26th at 15:44.30 and Samuel Lanham rounded out the scoring at 15:47.30. Jacob Russell was 30th at 15:57.60 and freshman Mikhail Fortner rounded out the first seven at 15:57.60.

ACU is sending Hadley Phillips, Autumn Smith, Peyton Bornstein, Georgia Lee, Tessa Holderman, Kate Hansen, Kate Williams and Katelyn Coldicott.

In the season opener, Bornstein was 27th at 19:03.50 to lead the ACU women. Coldicott took 32nd at 19:09.10 and Holderman came in 35th at 19:19.70. Hansen posted a 19:38.60 for 41st place and Bella Evans rounded out the scoring five in 43rd at 20:04.20. Williams (44th, 20:06.10) and Phillips (48th, 20:38.80) rounded out the top seven

The Watts course is considered a fast course and has served as the host for the 2015 SEC Championships and three NCAA South Central Regionals.