Las Vegas, New Mexico - The NMHU Highlands Cross Country Team hosted the HU XC Jam Thursday afternoon at the Gene Torres Golf Course in Las Vegas. Both the men's and women's team posted wins in the annual event.
In the Women's 5k, sister's
Gracey Lovato and
Faith Lovato finished first and second respectively, completing the race within nine seconds of each other. As a team, the Cowgirls secured five of the top six places in this year's event.
"Great day -- The Lovato sisters blazed away early and went 1-2,
Lucia Harrison had the best race of her career to grab third," said Head Coach
Bob DeVries after the Women's race.
NMHU Individuals - Women 5k
Gracey Lovato 19:10.17 (1st)
Faith Lovato   19:11.39 (2nd)
Lucia Harrison 20:19.21 (3rd)
Jewels Leslie  21:11.62 (5th)
Josey French  21:27.42 (6th)
In the Men's 7k, NMHU swept the top five positions Thursday afternoon led by
John Hall who finished the race in 22:43.09 besting his time from a year ago of 22:53.20. 2022 was the first year that the men's race was contested as a 7k.
"The men ran as a pack for most of the race -- that was the plan, to stay together and keep the pack moving progressively quicker --
John Hall came away with his second HU Jam title with his closing speed," commented Coach DeVries.
NMHU Individuals - Men 7k
John Hall     22:43.09 (1st)
Mart Nijhuis   22:43.54 (2nd)
Andrew Amor  22:50.24 (3rd)
Nathias Rael  23:00.03 (4th)
Celso Garcia  23:15.27 (5th)
The teams will next be in action on October 6th at the UCCS XC Open at Monument Valley Park in Colorado Springs. The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championships are scheduled for October 21st at Denver's Washington Park.
Follow NMHU Cross Country at
NMHUAthletics.com and on Instagram at
NMHU.XC.
