The Blinn College men’s and women’s cross country teams competed in the Texas A&M Invitational on Friday at the Dale Watts ’71 Cross Country Course in College Station, Texas.
Though the Buccaneers were unable to make waves in the team standings (both the men and women’s squads placed last), head coach ‘s runners showed promise as they defeated several NCAA Division I and II competitors on the individual leaderboard.
Blinn was the only junior college at Friday’s competition, and the meet – which included 11 NCAA Division I teams and two Division II programs – proved a tall order for the first-year program.
The men ran an 8 kilometer race, while the women ran a 5k. Across the two races, the Buccaneers placed better than a combined 28 NCAA runners.
(Pictured: Blinn sophomore Eric Lagat competes during the Texas A&M Invitational on Sept. 13, 2024)
“This was the first 8k race ever for all the men and we knew this was going to be a tough competition,” Parker said, “but this type of competition is one where we are able to callus ourselves for the tough competitions later in the year. As a team, our focus was on trying to run our own race. We averaged 27:21 for our top 5 runners, which I thought was good for our first race at this distance.”
The Blinn women, a team made up entirely of first-year runners, also left a positive impression on Parker.
“I was incredibly impressed with the attitude and competitive mentality the women had coming into this race,” the coach said. “Knowing the context with which we were competing – NCAA programs with significantly more experience than our group of freshmen – the women managed stay focused on their task and focused on running as best as each could individually.”
Blinn sophomore Eric Lagat was the top runner for the men’s team as he placed 102 with a time of 26 minutes, 35 seconds. Freshman Edward Rivera completed the course in 26:55 to finish 110th; freshman Cristian Gonzalez placed 113th in 27:20; and freshman Joseph Villegas took 116th in 27:28.
“The team ran well today, showing good levels of fitness,” Villegas said. “The way everybody ran today proves to us that our goals this fall are very achievable.”
(Pictured: Blinn freshmen Clare White, far left, and Savanna Thaw compete during the Texas A&M Invitational on Sept. 13, 2024)
On the women’s side, freshman Clare White led the Bucs with a time of 21:29 to take 140th. Freshmen Mia Guillen (142nd in 21:50), Juliana Jeansonne (146th in 22:18), Savanna Thaw (148th in 22:24), and Sophie Pyle (149th in 22:25) followed closely behind. Thaw’s time was a new personal record by 50 seconds.
“Our team showed perseverance and dedication today,” Guillen said. “We came into this meet being the only junior college team against some of the top programs in the NCAA and we proved we have what it takes to be a competitive team.”
Up next, Blinn will compete in the Cowboy Stampede hosted by McNeese State University on Saturday, Sept. 28, in Lake Charles, La.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 49 national championships since 1987.
