PORTALES, N.M. – Collegiate cross country is back in Portales as Eastern New Mexico hosted the Greyhound Invitational Saturday morning.
 
Both the men's and women's squads took runnerup finishes in the meet. Amarillo College took first-place in the competition.
 
The 8k and 6k championship course allowed Lone Star Conference teams an opportunity to compete at the site of the 2023 LSC XC Championships.
 
"I think the meet went very well. I think with everyone who came out to help, we put on a solid meet," said head coach Joshua Harden after the meet. "Competing on the course is extremely important."
 
Matthew Guerra (2nd – 27:09.01) posted the top time for ENMU as he took second place. The freshman came 17 seconds shy from finishing first in the home competition.
 
Ethan Woodrome (10th – 30:34.60), Emmanuel Hernandez (13th – 31:09.03), Bryce Owens (14th – 31:46.94), and Ricky Diaz (15th – 32:15.82) joined Guerra to help the team finish second overall.
 
The women's field saw 29 competitors run the course Saturday. Kaylyn De La Rosa finished the 6k race in 24:10.73 to finish second. The lead runner crossed the line five seconds ahead of the Hounds' senior.
 
Maritza Alvarez ran with De La Rosa the whole way on the two loop course. The Roswell, N.M. native clocked in at 24:11.24.
 
Senior Lauren Griego earned a top-ten finish as her 26:35.20 time stood at eighth in the field. Elise Toya took seventeenth with a 28:59.01 result.
 
Rounding out the field for ENMU included Meghan Rodriguez (20th – 30:09.16), Mariana Marquez (21st – 30:10.09), Alisha Hayde (23rd – 31:09.80), and Minerva Cerda (25th – 32:10.74).
 
"Being able to compete in front of friends, family, and teammates is extremely important," said Harden.
 
The Greyhounds will compete in Portales to complete the 2023 season at the Lone Star Conference Championships October 21. The first race is expected to be at 9:30 a.m.