Sept. 1, 2015 By Drew Harris | UTAMavs.com
WACO, Texas -- The UT Arlington men's and women's cross country teams opened up action Tuesday night at the Bear Twilight Invitational. Just three athletes with previous experience for the Mavericks competed at the season-opening meet.
"This was primarily a chance for our young runners to get a meet under their belts," UTA coach John Sauerhage. "It's early and we have a lot of work to, but it was a nice way to start the season. We'll get back to work tomorrow."
Sophomore Michael Guerrero, the lone male to have competed for UTA at a previous cross country meet, was the top finisher. Guerrero finished the 6k loop in 18:40.7, which was 12 seconds faster than he ran the same course a year ago and good for sixth place.
Transfer Tyler Forde was the team's second runner across the line, grabbing 14th place in 19:16.3. Freshman Chris Myers was 17th overall in his collegiate debut (19:22.8).
Sophomore Grayson Birka also broke the 20-minute mark (19:40.5) in a 26th-place effort. Freshmen Martin Lopez (40th, 20:34.1) and Randy Carranza (48th, 21:30.1) also competed for the Mavs.
On the women's side, senior Ashly Wright paced the squad. She finished in 28th position with a 4k clocking of 15:13.4. Wright finished one spot and one second ahead of freshman Anamarija Petters (15:14.8).
Sophomore Macey Beazley was the third finisher in her first UTA meet, landing in 43rd (15:33.9), while Tamerah Gorham was 61st (16:52.4). Two other UTA rookies, Penny Taylor (62nd, 16:53.1) and Meagan Myers (71st, 20:01.0) rounded out the contingent.
The men's team finished third among the five teams with 82 points, while the women were sixth out of six squads (165 points).
UT Arlington is next in action at the Ken Garland Invitational in Denton on Sept. 12.
Women's Results
- Baylor 29
- SMU 58
- North Texas 73
- TCU 81
- Incarnate Word 125
- UT Arlington 165
Men's Results
- North Texas 15
- Baylor 65
- UT Arlington 82
- Incarnate Word 89
- TCU 114
