TYLER, Texas – The St. Edward's men's cross country team used its opening weekend to give a number of its young runners an opportunity and placed fourth out of nine teams in the four-mile UT Tyler Cross Country Open. 
 
"We had a great race today. I challenged them to focus on being resilient and taking the opportunity to grow this weekend, and I thought we did that," St. Edward's Head Cross Country Coach Steven Cary says. "It was a tough course but I thought the guys handled it well." 
 
Melicio Ortiz paced the Hilltoppers at 22:05.7, placing 22nd. JUSTIN LEATHERS followed in 24th at 22:25.6 in his collegiate debut. BRADEN COX ran a 22:30.6 and placed 26th. Gabe Hernandez and CHASE BENNETT rounded out St. Edward's top five at 23:23.7 and 23:32.7, placing 39th and 42nd. JOSIAH GUAJARDO also competed and ran a 23:44.7, placing 47th. 
 
"Mel ran a great race—very even throughout. He was confident in himself and the training. Despite being tired from the recent workouts, he stayed in the fight and overcame the doubt today. Justin finished right after him and had a strong collegiate debut himself," Cary says. "We set the tone really well this weekend, and now I'm ready to see our team take the next step."
 
St. Edward's full contingent of top runners will make their debuts when the Hilltoppers return to action on Friday, Sep. 13, at the Texas A&M Invitational.