PORTALES, N.M. – St. Edward's men's track & field wrapped up its 2024-25 season with a resilient performance at the Lone Star Conference Championships hosted by Eastern New Mexico University. 
 
"We've been trying to piece things together all season, and this week we weren't the healthiest or sharpest, but everyone pulled together to put their best foot forward," St. Edward's Head Track & Field Coach Steven Cary says. "There were highs and lows throughout, but the guys remained composed. This is an ambitious group, and even though we didn't get the desired result, they gave their all and represented the Hilltoppers well." 
 
WILLIE ODEM set a solid tone on the first day, qualifying for the 1,500-meter finals with a ninth-place finish in the preliminaries at 4:06.77, and kept a similar pace in Saturday's finals at 4:07.75 for ninth. 
 
"As far as individuals go, I thought Willie ran two strong races in the 1,500. He looked great in the prelims and did enough to get into the last round," Cary explains. "The finals went out fast, and he just didn't have the legs to keep with the lead pack. Still, he gave it everything, and I'm proud of that effort." 
 
ARLO GONZALES pulled double duty in the distance events, placing 14th in the 10K at 33:45.16 and 12th in the 5K at 15:42.14. 
 
The relay teams closed the final day out with solid performances in the 4x100 and 4x400, scoring points for the Hilltoppers. MARCUS AGUINALDO, TYRIQ WILSON, CRISTIAN MENDOZA, and RUDY QUINTELA scored a point with an eighth-place finish in the 4x400 at 3:19.53, and the quartet of GEORGE SHELTON, ANDRE MOORE, Mendoza, and Wilson scored three with a sixth-place finish in the 4x100 and broke a school record at 41.24.
 
"Our sprints group took care of business in the 4x100. I'm happy with how these guys came together to get the most out of themselves despite some changes we made this week," Cary says. "I'm also proud of the guys that ran the 4x400. They battled hard out there."