Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) made history this week as two of its standout runners, Isai Moran and Kristen Torres, were named M-F Athletic National Athletes of the Week for November 3 by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. The recognition marked a milestone moment for the Saints, as it was the first time in program history that any OLLU athlete had earned this national honor during the cross country season. Their achievements underscored the school’s growing dominance in the NAIA and the strength of its cross country program.
For Moran, a sophomore from El Paso, the award came on the heels of a commanding victory at the Red River Athletic Conference Championships. He tore through the 8k course in just 24:07.3, leaving the rest of the field a staggering 34 seconds behind. The time help power the OLLU men’s team to its tenth conference title, a testament to the depth and discipline cultivated by the Saints program. Moran’s performance, characterized by his smooth pacing and relentless finish, demonstrated why he’s become the heartbeat of the OLLU men’s squad. His leadership on the course has set the tone for a team that thrives on unity and competitive spirit.
On the women’s side, junior Kristen Torres of San Antonio delivered an equally dominant performance, claiming the individual conference crown with a time of 21:54.7, an 18-second margin over the rest of the competition. Her victory capped an extraordinary team showing, as five of her teammates joined her in the top eight to give OLLU a near-perfect team score of 18 points. Torres’s poise and strength through the Red River course not only highlighted her as one of the NAIA’s top runners but also showcased the incredible synergy within the Saints women’s team. The fact that this is the first time an OLLU female athlete has received national weekly honors makes her achievement even more historic, setting a new standard for future Saints to follow.
The recognition of both Moran and Torres in the same week speaks volumes about the trajectory of OLLU’s cross country program. Once viewed as an emerging force, the Saints have now firmly established themselves as a nationally acclaimed team year after year. Their success reflects not only individual excellence but also a culture of hard work, belief, and community, values that define the OLLU athletic tradition. With championship season in full swing, the Saints recent accomplishments signal that they are more than ready to compete on the biggest stage in the NAIA.