NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Junior Daniel Mutai claimed his second individual race win of the season, emerging victorious from the men's 8k run to pace the ULM cross country team at the Southland Conference Pre-Conference Meet on Monday.
Mutai completed the course in a time of 25:21.20 to edge out the unattached Xavier Rodriguez, who earned runner-up honors with a 25:36.53 finish. Last season's Louisiana Men's Cross Country Newcomer of the Year, Mutai earned the first individual title of his ULM career at the Warhawk Invitational on Sept. 9.
Junior Silah Chumba was the next ULM runner to cross the finish line, clocking a time of 26:46.70 for 11th place. Senior Moses Chelimo was the third Warhawk in the top 20, recording a 27:05.38 for 18th place. Senior Britt Koestler and junior Devin Caldwell finished just over one second apart, logging a 29:36.74 and 29:37.83 respectively. Sophomore Jacob Heckford finished with a time of 30:47.34, while junior Alex Wallace posted a 34:03.30.
Junior Silah Chumba was the next ULM runner to cross the finish line, clocking a time of 26:46.70 for 11th place. Senior Moses Chelimo was the third Warhawk in the top 20, recording a 27:05.38 for 18th place. Senior Britt Koestler and junior Devin Caldwell finished just over one second apart, logging a 29:36.74 and 29:37.83 respectively. Sophomore Jacob Heckford finished with a time of 30:47.34, while junior Alex Wallace posted a 34:03.30.
In the team competition, the ULM men finished in 5th place behind overall champion Texas-San Antonio.
Junior Madeleine Robertson posted the best finish for the Warhawks on the women's side, claiming 28th place with a time of 25:02.10. Senior Denise Myers and junior Sharon Sason came in just over one second apart for 32nd and 33rd place, recording a 25:18.14 and 25:19.80 respectively. Freshman Anakaren Lopez claimed 47th place with a time of 26:53.55, while junior Jasmine Garcia logged a 27:13.46 for 49th. Junior Ariana Jones (28:09.22) and freshman Bethany Koestler (28:46.41) rounded out the times for ULM.
Texas-San Antonio claimed the team title on the women's side to sweep the meet. Lauren Smith from host Stephen F. Austin took home the individual win with a time of 21:34.25.
ULM will return to action at the NSU Invitational on Oct. 3 in Natchitoches, La.