NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The UTSA men's and women's cross country teams opened the 2006 season with a solid effort at the SFA Lumberjack Opener held Friday evening at Pecan Park.
Senior transfers Aaron Castro and Benson Cheserek teamed up for a second-place finish in the unique 3x2,000-meter relay format. Cheserek totaled 18:36 for his three 2,000m legs, while Castro turned in a time of 18:41 to give the duo an overall time of 37:17.52.
Juniors Eric Miller and Carlos Perez combined for a 37:52.27 clocking, good for sixth place. Perez timed 18:36, while Miller turned in a 19:26.
Senior Larry Brooks and freshman Corey Vargas finished 15th in 38:58.32, while junior Adrian Vargas and freshman Bryan Ugochukwu took 18th in 40:03.97. Josh Lopez and Shadrack Songok of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi led all runners with a 36:20.00 clocking.
Seniors Hope Jimenez and Brianna Mendez posted the third-fastest time of the day in the women‚s 2x2,000m relay. Jimenez led all Roadrunners with a 14:00 combined time, while Mendez finished in 15:22 to give the duo a 29:23.32 clocking, just behind a pair of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi relay teams.
Freshmen Faith Barlow and Dana Mecke combined for fifth in 29:48.53, behind Mecke‚s 14:37 and Barlow‚s 15:11.
Senior Veronica Silva and freshman Katy Spence placed ninth 30:38.09, while junior Samantha Burgess and freshman Farrah Moore (32:58) finished 19th in 32:59.59.
The women return to action next Saturday at the Texas State Invitational in San Marcos, while the men have a week off before the Texas A&M Invitational in College Station on Sept. 16.