LAS VEGAS, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico ran at the 2024 NMHU XC Jam Friday afternoon at the Gene Torres Golf Course.

Just an hour before race time, the sun was glaring, and the wind was calm. However, the clouds shifted past Hermit Peak directly northwest of Las Vegas and soon covered the hilly nine-hole golf course when the starter's air horn initiated the beginning of the race.

The women's program took to the course first running in a 5k race. Freshmen Elizabeth Lujan-Towles (20:24.02) and Sylvia Lagat (21:41.31) led the way for ENMU. The duo competed within a pack of runners from all three DII institutions from the Land of Enchantment.

As for the men, the storm continued to build up with additional cloud coverage for the 7k race. Freshmen Bryan Hernandez (24:45.84) and Justin Sauceda (25:59.24) paced the Greyhounds. Senior Ethan Woodrome ran at New Mexico Highlands for the third time in his ENMU career. He posted his best time at the meet with a 26:36.45 mark. All three runners placed in the top ten in the field of 21 student-athletes.

"It's great to be back in competition after two weeks of training," said assistant coach Keyanah Browning. "We are looking forward to racing in front of our home crowd Saturday morning for Homecoming."

The Greyhound Invite is set for October 5 at 8:30 a.m. The meet will be held at the cross country course located off West University Drive.