WACO, Texas – The youthful UTA men's and women's cross country teams opened their seasons Friday night at the Baylor Bear Twilight Invite. With a score of 99, the women placed third out of five schools, while the men took third among four teams with 86 points.
 
UTA used the first of five regular season meets as an opportunity to get experience for their bevy of newcomers. Across the two teams, 12 of the 16 runners were making their Maverick debuts.
 
Four of the top five finishers for the women's team were newcomers. In her first race as a Maverick, senior transfer Shayla Manitowabi-Huebner led the squad, placing 22nd overall. She covered the 4k race at the Heart of Texas Soccer Complex in 14:34.5.
 
Freshman Mathilde Ruud was the next across the line for UTA, placing 27th (14:43.8). She was one spot ahead of returnee Madeleine Rowe (14:44.1).
 
UTA's other point scorers were freshmen Bailey Villalon (36th, 15:20.8) and Sofia Santamaria (37th, 15:21.5). Valeria Diaz, who led the Mavs in five events as a freshman a year ago, was the No. 6 runner on Friday, placing 38th (15:22.8).
 
Meanwhile, the men's eight-man lineup consisted of seven freshmen. Harold Murphy led the new crew with a 20th-place showing in the 6k race with a clocking of 19:24.4.
 
Fellow freshman Marquentin Barnes was the next finisher, taking 22nd (19:26.5), just ahead of junior Victor Bocanegra (19:27.5). Jack Myers (24th, 19:29.0) and Carter Reed (28th, 19:57.6) rounded out the UTA scorers.
 
The Mavericks return to action on Saturday, Sept. 7 with the Ken Garland Invitational in Denton, Texas.
 
Women's Team Results

1. Texas 21
2. Baylor 58
3. UT Arlington 99
4. TCU 103
5. SMU 104

 
Men's Team Results

1. Texas 15
2. Baylor 50
3. UT Arlington 86
4. TCU 115