For the sixth year in a row and 10th time overall, the women’s cross-country team has captured the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) Women’s Cross-Country Championships. This victory adds to the team’s impressive track record in the RRAC, having consistently performed at the top of the competition over the years. The event was held at the Windcrest Golf Course.
OLLU’s victory was a collective effort, as they outpaced second-place Texas A&M University—Texarkana (TAMUT) with four of the top five individual times and six of the top eight. This strong team performance was a key factor in their success.
Third place went to Xavier University of Louisiana, who had one runner in the top 10 – Skylah Barton. Fourth place went to Jarvis Christian University.
OLLU junior Mia Curiel claimed the RRAC individual championship with a time of 24:03.6 on the 6000m course, 15 seconds ahead of the field. Leilani Leza, another standout performer, placed third for the Saints with a time of 24:41. Their exceptional performances were key to the team’s success in the championships.
The women have won nine individual championships. Jasmine Garcia won the title in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Annie Trejo won in 2018, while Lindsey Broussard won in 2019, Nadia Sifuentes in 2021 and 2022, and Sanai Robinson won the title last season.
Brett Charlton, in his first year as head coach, also captured Coach of the Year honors.
Joining Curiel and Leza for All-Conference are Liliana Hernandez for fourth place with a time of 24:45, Victoria Bartlett for fifth place with a time of 24:49, Valeria Peña for seventh place with a time of 25:01 and Claudia Helena Lopez in eighth place with a time of 25:29. Daylah Vega’s time was 27:38 for 15th place.
What’s next
The women have qualified for the 45th Annual NAIA Women’s Cross-Country National Championship that will take place Nov. 22 at the Gans Creek Cross-Country Course in Columbia, Miss.