AUSTIN, Texas — Battling through rain-soaked conditions and a late-week cold front at Mike A. Myers Stadium, St. Edward's men's track & field used the Texas Invitational as a final tune-up before the Lone Star Conference Championships, turning in a series of competitive performances against a field that included Division I programs and elite, unattached athletes.

Under cooler-than-usual May temperatures and intermittent storms across Thursday and Friday, the Hilltoppers leaned into the elements, producing steady marks across sprints, hurdles, and distance events in one of the region's deepest meets of the season.

On the track, ANDRE MOORE and TYRIQ WILSON led the way in the 100 meters, finishing fifth and sixth overall in 11.03 and 11.04, respectively, while CRISTIAN MENDOZA added an 11.14 to give St. Edward's three athletes tightly packed in a highly competitive field. Wilson doubled back in the 200 meters with a 22.10, and Mendoza followed at 22.63, continuing to build momentum heading into conference.

In the 400 meters, AREEB MAHMOOD clocked a 50.36, navigating the damp conditions to post a solid effort, while the hurdles group saw MASYN VELA turn in a 56.28 in the 400 hurdles, continuing his consistent progression late in the outdoor season.

The middle-distance group delivered one of the meet's strongest showings. ERIK CARMONA led the Hilltoppers in the 800 meters with a 1:56.89, finishing sixth overall in a fast, tactical race, while HOGAN HEIKKINEN broke the two-minute barrier at 1:59.25.

In the 1500 meters, AJ PENA paced the group with a 4:01.06, with Gabe Hernandez (4:06.62) and WILLIAM SULENTICH (4:07.96) adding depth in a race that featured multiple sub-3:50 performers at the front. The Hilltoppers also showed depth across heats with several athletes competing through challenging weather and pacing conditions.

Distance efforts continued in the 800 and 1500 groups, while the sprint corps maintained tight clustering across events—an encouraging sign of lineup balance as the postseason approaches.

Against a meet field headlined by athletes from the University of Texas and professional competitors, St. Edward's matched the intensity, using the weekend to sharpen race execution, test lineups, and build rhythm under less-than-ideal conditions.

With the Lone Star Conference Championships on deck, the Hilltoppers leave Austin with momentum, depth across event groups, and a clearer picture of where they can make an impact when the stakes rise next week.