ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — What began in December as a program leaning into growth and identity found its proof of concept on the Lone Star Conference stage this weekend.

Across distance and relay events, St. Edward's turned a season built on progression into tangible results at the 2026 LSC Indoor Track & Field Championships—scoring points in multiple events and continuing the upward trajectory that has defined year two of the program's development.

From the outset of the indoor season, the Hilltoppers emphasized experience and steady improvement, using early meets to establish depth and confidence across event groups. That approach showed in February, where momentum steadily built through competitive meets and record-breaking performances, particularly in the distance group and emerging sprint relays.

That progression culminated in Albuquerque.

BEN BAYLY opened the weekend with a ninth-place finish in the 3,000 meters, crossing in 8:55.17 to set the tone for a distance group that has consistently carried the Hilltoppers' presence throughout the season. Bayly's result echoed a season-long trend of leading from the front, after previously pacing St. Edward's in early meets while gaining experience in deep collegiate fields.

In the 5,000 meters, the Hilltoppers placed two in the top 10, with ARLO GONZALES finishing ninth in 15:33.56 and Bayly following closely in 10th at 15:36.68. The pair's performance reinforced the program's growing depth in distance events—an area that has steadily improved meet by meet as the group transitioned from learning race management to competing for points.

The relay groups added to that momentum.

The 4x400 relay team of TYRIQ WILSON, WARREN ANGUIANO, PABLO JIMENEZ PENAGOS, and Ahmeed Mahmood earned a point with an eighth-place finish in 3:21.92, continuing the development of a sprint group that has gradually built consistency and chemistry throughout the indoor season.

In the distance medley relay, WILLIAM SULENTICH, CRISTIAN MENDOZA, AREEB MAHMOOD, and JAVIER TILLERO secured two points with a seventh-place finish in 10:40.14. The result reflected a group that has emphasized versatility and execution across legs, building on earlier-season opportunities to compete together and refine race strategy.
Taken together, the performances represented more than just points—they were the clearest indication yet of a program finding its footing.

From early-season meets focused on gaining experience, to midseason breakthroughs and record-setting performances, to a conference championship where that growth translated into scoring finishes, the Hilltoppers' indoor campaign followed a deliberate arc.

And in Albuquerque, it held.

St. Edward's didn't just arrive at the LSC Championships—they competed with purpose, delivered across multiple events, and continued to lay the foundation for what the program is becoming.