PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico cross country posted their best overall finishes of the 2024 season at the Greyhound Invite.

The men's program earned a second-place nod, while the women's team held strong in third.

A beautiful morning in Portales set the morning on the right path. The sun was shining and it stayed cool up until the final moments of the men's 8k race as the sun began to heat up.

Leading the way for the Greyhounds in the men's race was freshman Bryan Hernandez. The San Elizario, Texas native finished the 8k race in 29:34.3. Two other freshmen earned top-ten nods. Justin Sauceda finished eighth with a 30:15.7 time and Jackson Gable crossed just behind in ninth at 30:25.4.

Also completing the race for ENMU was Thomas Aerdts  (31:44.3), Brian Norton (32:12.4), and Ethan Woodrome (32:46.9).

The women's team found themselves in the middle-of-the-pack featuring two other programs from the Lone Star Conference. Midwestern State took second in the meet and UT Permian Basin ended in fourth.

Freshmen Elizabeth Lujan-Towles (25:33.7) and Sylvia Lagat (25:53.9) carried ENMU in Saturday's race. Graduate student Sanne Janssen (25:58.9) was not far behind. Also finishing for the Greyhounds was Valentina Rocabado Salazar (30:27.9) and Faith Jepchirchir (31:18.5).

The Greyhounds will now look forward to a trip to New Mexico Junior College for a meet at Harry McAdams Park on October 11. It will be the final regular season meet for ENMU before the Lone Star Conference Championships held in Kingsville, Texas.