? Results
CORPUS CHRISTI ? Led by a 19th-place showing from freshman Brandon Chiuminetta (Dripping Springs, Texas), the UTSA men’s cross country team finished sixth at the Southland Conference Championships held Saturday morning at West Guth Park.
UTSA tallied 172 points for its highest league finish since placing fourth in 2002. Lamar (37) successfully defended its conference crown in a close race with the host school Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (44). UT Arlington was third (73), followed by Stephen F. Austin (116), McNeese State (126), UTSA (172), Sam Houston State (209), Texas State (221), Southeastern Louisiana (251), Central Arkansas (269), Northwestern State (301) and Nicholls State (330).
“Last year we finished seventh and lost our top three guys,” second-year cross country coach Scott Slade said. “Most programs may take a step back as they rebuild. For us to improve our team finish with such a young group is a sign that we are turning things around.
“I’m very proud of the way the guys raced today. They stuck with the race strategy and went out after it. They ran with courage and guts, and that’s what it takes to be successful in a meet like this. We’re excited and hungry about the future with this group.”
Chiuminetta was the top Roadrunner for the fourth time this fall, covering the 8k loop in a time of 26:00.1. Senior Eric Miller crossed in 26:52.2 for 33rd, while a pack of UTSA runners were close behind him. Sophomore Corey Vargas finished 39th in 27:03.9, followed by freshman Dominick Zucconi in 42nd (27:09.4), senior Larry Brooks in 43rd (27:11.2) and freshman Zach Legg in 47th (27:24.5). Freshman Raul Toscano was 59th (28:09.9).
“Brandon really stepped up all year long and today was no different,” Slade said. “ He helped paced the guys through the first few miles and just kept moving up during the race. To finish 19th overall and seventh among freshmen is an excellent start to his career.”
Shadrack Songok of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi repeated as the men’s individual champion, clocking a 24:04.6 to edge Lamar’s Francis Kasagule (24:12.5).
“Scott has done a tremendous job with the program since he came on board last year,” head men’s track & field coach Aaron Fox said. “We have a very young group, but the guys competed very well today. They fought hard and went out after it and that’s what you like to see out of your team. The future has some promising things in store for UTSA.”
