The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Chile Pepper Invitational
Women's Cross Country defends Chile Pepper Festival title, Men finish as runner-up
10.04.2025 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Seniors Elizabeth Pickett and Nathanael Berhane lead Texas as top finishers.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The Longhorn women's cross country team defended its 2024 Chile Pepper Festival title on Saturday after winning the 5K after scoring 54 points. The men were the runner-up in the 8K with 56 points behind Arkansas who scored 40.
The women were led by senior Elizabeth Pickett who set a personal best and finished third overall with a time of 16:15.4. She shaved 15 seconds off her previous best time and led Texas as the top finisher for the second consecutive meet. Sophomore Isabel Conde De Frankenberg claimed a ninth-place finish and eclipsed her personal best by 71 seconds with a time of 16:51.2. Melody Espinoza set her personal best by 10 seconds, finishing the event in 17:03.6 and was 13th overall.
Freshman Sydney Wilkins crossed the line in 17:11.4, while fellow freshman Lily Fawcett recorded a 47-second personal best in 17:18.2. Sophomore Aishling Callanan (17:24.0) and Kaylin Rendon (17:26.4 – 20-sec PB) were the final scorers for the women. With 54 points, Texas outdid Arkansas in second with 106.
Senior Nathanael Berhane led the Longhorns with a time of 23:53.1 to finish seventh overall. Senior Hudson Heikkinen (24.00.5) and freshman Aidan Torres (24:06.5) finished ninth and tenth. Hudson Bennett set a new personal best by 25 seconds, finishing at 24:12.9 in 11th. Trey Rios (24:32.0), Jack Boyd (24:26.3) and Joaquin de la Cruz (24:55.9) rounded out the seven scorers for the men.
The Longhorns will return to competition on Oct. 18 for the Pre National meet in Columbia, Missouri.
Players Mentioned
