LUBBOCK, Texas – Eastern New Mexico women's cross country took tenth at the Texas Tech Open against 14 other institutions.
"We just got off to a slow start, and with how hilly the course was, it challenged us a bit," said assistant coach Keyanah Browning. "We're stilll getting race-sharpened, but the positive is we had all of our women out there competing today. Things are slowly coming together, and I really believe it's only up from here."
Eastern New Mexico's top finisher was
Chama El Hadiri (23:24.7) who was running her first collegiate race. She held the fifth quickest time among all freshmen in the race. Overall, the Marrakech, Morocco native completed the race in 21st place.
ENMU's scoring team consisted of
Elizabeth Lujan-Towles (26:16.5),
Madison Manuelito (26:41.1),
Joella Mathilda (26:57.6), and
Alina Caballero (27:05.5). Manuelito and Mathilda were also running for the first time in the 2025 season. Also finishing for the Hounds was
Maya Garcia Schafer (27:46.5) and
Valentina Rocabado Salazar (33:04.2).
Eastern was among six schools from the Lone Star Conference at the meet. ENMU finished in one place ahead of Angelo State and four places in front of UT Permian Basin. In-state foe Western New Mexico was one place ahead of ENMU.
The Lubbock Christian (LCU) cross country course featured a lengthy straightaway to begin before two shorter 180-degree turns in hilly grassy terrain.
The course ran around the perimeter of the facility and had the runners go around the entirety of the landscape twice. Weather-wise, runners were treated to sunny conditions with cooler temperatures throughout the race.
Eastern New Mexico women's cross country is slated to compete next at the NMJC Invitational on September 26. The men's program will compete tomorrow, September 13, at the Lobo Cross Country Invitational in Albuquerque.
