LAS VEGAS, NEV. – After more than a year without competition, the Nevada men's and women's cross country teams competed in their first meet of the season, which saw The women's team finish the meet in 12th while the men's team finished in 9th. This meet also saw the Wolf Pack compete against six nationally ranked men's teams and four nationally ranked women's teams.
One name that stood out on the men's side was newcomer Daniel Sayo. Sayo, who came to the University from Kenya, finished with a time of 24.31. This time was not only good to finish 53rd overall, but it was 40 seconds better than the top 8k time last season set by Adam Sjolund with a time of 25.11.
The women's side had one veteran runner who had a very impressive time. Senior Hiley Dobbs finished first out of her teammates with her time of 20:45. This time also was good enough for the senior to finish 38th overall.
Sophomore Tabatha Walford, who hasn't competed since 2018, moved up on the Nevada 6k all-time list after being ranked 16th previously. Her time of 21:32 at the meet moved her to 11th all-time. This also earned her a new personal best, beating her time of 21:44. Her time was the third best time out of her teammates and 73rd overall.
The men's team had two competitors who set new personal bests. Sophomore Celime Garcia set a new personal best in the 8k of 26:06. He beat his personal best by 62 seconds. While his teammate sophomore Alex Mendoza, set a personal best of 26.58. Mendoza beat his personal best by 55 seconds.
Along with Sayo, the men's team saw three other newcomers compete. Kyle Elias earned an impressive time of 26:08, which was the fifth best time of the team. Matthew Kruse ended the meet with a time of 26.57 while just behind him was Teagan Hansen and his time of 27:00.
The Pack saw a lot of success out of some of their veterans. Senior Stefanie Ortega earned a time of 21:15. This time saw the senior earn a 61st place finish. Lastly, senior Lauryn Massic finished fourth overall on the team and 90th overall in the meet with her time of 22:18.
The team also had some transfers compete in their first meet at Nevada. Junior Kate Rye, who was a swimmer from UNLV, finished the 6k in 96th with a time of 22:36. Sophomore Brian Kipchumba, who transferred from Lubbock Christian University, finished 76th overall with a time of 25:27. Just a little off his personal best of 25:23 in the 8k. Lastly, junior Andrew Ribeiro finished the meet with a time of 26:37 that earned him an 83rd place overall finish.
Some other finals times included a time of 26:03 set by sophomore Massimiliano Swenson. This was the third best time set by the men's team and ranked him 78th overall. Junior Henry Weisberg, who didn't compete for the Pack last season, finished the 8k with a time of 26:52 which earned him an 84th place finish.
The Nevada cross country teams will look to compete in the Mountain West Championship back in Las Vegas on Mar. 5.
