LUBBOCK, Texas – Early-morning rain and muddy terrain did not damper St. Edward's women's cross country's performance at the Texas Tech Open as the Hilltoppers placed fifth out of 16 teams. 
 
Some Hilltoppers returned to the cross country course after a year off, and the returners picked up where they left off for a promising start in the 6K race. 
 
"Watching our group navigate the race, I thought they packed up very well, finding their teammates, working together, and pushing each other. It showed in the results," St. Edward's Head Cross Country Coach Steven Cary says. "We beat some good teams and did exceptionally well navigating the conditions on the course. They had a lot of fun out there embracing those conditions. It was a great mindset." 
 
JORDAN SANDERS returned to the course after not competing in cross country last year, leading the Hilltoppers with a 19th-place finish of 24:12.80. CAROLINE WILDRICK (24th, 24:43.00) and MIA RIVERA (25th, 24:43.50) also placed in the top 25. JULIANA MERLO and FAITH BROTHERS finished back-to-back to close out the top 30. Merlo placed 29th with a time of 24:49.30 and Brothers 30th at 24:52.30. 
 
MYLA CASTILLO and ELLIE HOVRE also finished at or under the 25-minute mark, placing 32nd and 34th with times of 24:58.00 and 25:00.00. 
 
"Watching JORDAN SANDERS lead the team after not running last season was a special moment. CAROLINE WILDRICK and MYLA CASTILLO have improved by leaps and bounds, and MIA RIVERA was up there picking up where she left off," Cary says. "Faith was up there doing her thing, and Ella Hovre looked good after not running last year." 
 
JENNA SAUNDERS (57th, 25:54.00), DELANEY LONG (63rd, 26:13.00), SYDNEY SMITH (65th, 26:20.50), SAMMY SALAZAR (66th, 26:28.00), SARAH WILLSON (72nd, 26:51.00), MAGGIE RITTMEYER (76th, 27:17.00), TAYLOR LATZA (80th, 27:34:00), MIRYAM MENDOZA (90th, 28:03.20), BRYN PETERS (102nd, 29:32.00), and TORI PONCE (105th, 29:56.00) also competed. 
 
"It's a strong group. There are a few things we can do a little better. We can pack up some more and move up the field a little more. Those are some things we're going to work on," Cary says. "We're going to continue to improve and foster the culture we're building here because it's special."
 
St. Edward's will travel to Fayetteville, Arkansas, in two weeks to compete in the Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival on September 29.