The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Cross country teams sweep Texas Invitational
09.27.2013 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Lutz wins individual crown for No. 15 men’s team, Marches leads 25th-ranked women’s squad to victory
Texas Invitational women's results | Texas Invitational men's results | Photo Galley
ROUND ROCK, Texas – The Texas men's and women's cross country teams breezed to victories in Friday's Texas Invitational.
Junior All-American Craig Lutz, participating in his first meet of the season, out-distanced the field with a time of 24 minutes, 2.38 seconds in the 8,000-meter race as the 15th-ranked Horns posted a perfect 15 points with the top five scorers.
"Craig really stepped up today," Texas cross country coach Brad Herbster said. "He ran by himself for most of the race, but he handled it effectively. He really managed the race well and looked strong finishing up."
UT-San Antonio was second with 58 points and Houston Baptist third (73) in the Longhorns' lone home meet of the year, which was held at Old Settlers Park.
The No. 25 Texas women had five of the top six scorers, led by Brittany Marches who was second (16:34.31) in the 5,000-meter race, but first in the scoring column. Olivia Mickle, running unattached, crossed the finish line in 16:34.31. A graduate of Brown, Mickle will compete for the Horns in the spring.
The UT women collected 18 points, followed by UTSA (56) and Houston Baptist (64).
"It was a solid team performance and it was great to have a home meet," cross country coach Brad Herbster said. "Having a big crowd is always entertaining and we really appreciate the fans coming out tonight."
Mark Pinales (24:28.01) and newcomer Eduardo Rodriguez (24:39.88) finished second and third, respectively. Chris Galvin, competing unattached, was fourth in 24:43. 68. Galvin, a Navy graduate, will compete for UT in the spring.
"Mark Pinales had a nice race and Eduardo Rodriguez really stepped up to help us out in that third spot'" Herbster said.
Seniors Austin Roth and Collin Smith rounded out the scoring on the Texas men's side. Roth was fifth overall in 24:52.48. Smith was sixth with a time of 24:58.76.
Senior All-American Marielle Hall was sixth overall and third for the Longhorns in 17:43.42. Freshmen Connor Ward, who was sixth (18:02.18), and Meghan Shea, who was seventh (18:02.88), rounded out the scoring for Texas.
"Marielle Hall, Megan Siebert and Brittany Marches all had solid days," Herbster said. "This was Marielle's first time out this season and we still have Sara Sutherland and Jess Harper for Wisconsin (adidas Invitational) and Big 12s."
Both teams are off until Saturday, Oct. 19 when they will compete in the Wisconsin adidas Invitational, one of the top regular season meets of the year. That will be the final tuneup for the Big 12 Championships, which is set for Saturday, Nov. 2.
"We'll try and sharpen up the next three weeks," Herbster said. "Right after Wisconsin, we have the Big 12 meet. We want to race well at Wisconsin, but then we have regionals and nationals after conference."
| 1. | Texas | 15 |
| 2. | UTSA | 58 |
| 3. | Houston Baptist | 73 |
| 1. | Texas | 18 |
| 2. | UTSA | 56 |
| 3. | Houston Baptist | 64 |
Men's Individual Finishers – Top 10
1. Craig Lutz (Texas), 24:02.38; 2. Mark Pinales (Texas), 24:28.01; 3. Eduardo Rodriguez (Texas), 24:39.88; 4. Chris Galvin (Unattached), 24:43.68; 5. Austin Roth (Texas); 24:52.48; 6. Collin Smith (Texas), 24:58.76; 7. Brady Turnbull (Texas), 24:59.29; 8. Blake Williams (Texas), 25:21.36; 9. Nate Moore (Texas), 25:30.21; 10. Mike Medrano (UTSA), 25:31.26
Women's Individual Finishers – Top 10
1. Olivia Mickle (Unattached), 16:34.31; 2. Brittany Marches (Texas), 17:28.27; 3. Megan Siebert (Texas), 17:32.53; 4. Emily Perez (UTSA), 17:36.61; 5. Lauren Smith (Unattached), 17:38.92; 6. Marielle Hall (Texas), 17:43.42; 7. Connor Ward (Texas), 18:02.18; 8. Meghan Shea (Texas), 18:02.88; 9. Alaina Perez (Texas), 18:06.28; 10. Hannah Novelli (Texas), 18:08.75
