The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Chile Pepper Festival
Men’s Cross Country wins Chile Pepper Festival
10.03.2026 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Bennett places third overall as men's team scores 64 points; six Texas women post new 5K bests.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Texas Men's Cross Country captured the team title at the Chile Pepper Festival McDonnell Memorial 8K on Saturday, scoring 64 points at Agri Park. The Texas women placed sixth in the Harter's Habanero 5K with 197 points.
Hudson Bennett led the Longhorns with a third-place finish overall in the men's 8K in 24:09.8. Bennett moved from eighth at the mile split to seventh at the 5.5K split before closing strong to secure a top-three finish.
Joaquin De La Cruz finished sixth and recorded a new 8K best of 24:15.7, while freshman Kai McCullough was seventh in 24:20.4. Zain Hamdani placed 18th in 24:41.6 and Colby Huntress rounded out the scoring five in 33rd in 25:12.9. Ezekiel Kipkorir finished 74th in 25:56.01.
The Texas women were led by Aishling Callanan, who finished 20th in 17:00.1. Mia Perez placed 29th in 17:16.0, followed by Lili Denton in 43rd at 17:36.4, Cara Sims in 47th at 17:40.3 and Grace Kowalski in 64th at 17:54.4. Kaylin Rendon finished 67th in 17:57.3, while McKale Lee was 138th in 18:46.2. Six of the seven Longhorns established new 5K bests, led by Callanan, Perez, Denton, Sims, Kowalski and Lee.
The Longhorns return to action Friday, Oct. 16, at the Arturo Barrios Invitational in College Station, Texas. The meet will mark Texas' second competition of the season at the Watts Cross Country Course, which will host the NCAA South Central Regional.
Next up, the Longhorns head to College Station, Texas for the Arturo Barrios Invitational on the Watts Cross Country Course. This will be the second race of the year for the Longhorns in College Station on the course that will serve as the site of the NCAA South Central Regional.
Women's 5K Results
20. Aishling Callanan – 17:00.1 (PB)
29. Mia Perez – 17:16.0 (PB)
43. Lili Denton – 17:36.4 (PB)
47. Cara Sims – 17:40.3 (PB)
64. Grace Kowalski – 17:54.4 (PB)
67. Kaylin Rendon –17:57.3
138. McKale Lee – 18:46.2 (PB)
Men's 8K Results
3. Hudson Bennett – 24:09.8
6. Joaquin De La Cruz – 24:15.7 (PB)
7. Kai McCullough – 24:20.4
18. Zain Hamdani – 24:41.6
33. Colby Huntress – 25:12.9
74. Ezekiel Kipkorir – 25:56.01
Full Team Results
Women: 1. Arkansas – 69; 2. Mississippi State – 83; 3. Tulsa – 89; 4. UT Arlington – 178; 5. East Central (OK) – 187; 6. Texas – 197; 7. Missouri State – 199; 8. Baylor – 202; 9. North Texas – 240; 10. Southern Miss – 263; 11. Dallas Baptist – 294; 12. Houston Christian – 303; 13. Oklahoma Baptist – 331; 14. Oral Roberts – 357; 15. Ouachita Baptist – 405; 16. St. Edward's – 478; 17. UT Tyler – 533; 18. Central Oklahoma – 561; 19. El Paso (TX) CC – 576; 20. Weatherford (TX) – 597; 21. Memphis – 617; 22. Texas Southern – 626; 23. St. Thomas (TX) – 642; 24. Little Rock – 645; 25. SE Oklahoma State – 654; 26. Butler (KS) CC – 696; 27. Arkansas-Pine Bluff – 824; 28. Kansas City – 826
Men: 1. Texas – 64; 2. North Texas – 103; 3. UTEP – 137; 4. Oklahoma Baptist – 172; 5. East Central (OK) – 191; 6. Missouri Western – 216; 7. UT Arlington – 252; 8. Dallas Baptist – 255; 9. Hutchinson (KS) CC – 281; 10. Oral Roberts – 296; 11. Crowder (MO) – 305; 12. Ouachita Baptist – 359; 13. St. Thomas (TX) – 374; 14. UT Tyler – 388; 15. Butler (KS) CC – 411; 16. Baylor – 420; 17. Houston Christian – 433; 18. Kansas City – 439; 19. Texas Southern – 450; 20. Little Rock – 459; 21. Memphis – 460; 22. St. Edward's – 515; 23. El Paso (TX) CC – 576; 24. NW Oklahoma State – 582; 25. State Fair (MO) – 694; 26. Arkansas-Pine Bluff – 834.
