Cross-Country Begins 15th Season on Sept. 1
SAN ANTONIO (Aug. 29, 2023) – The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) cross-country programs are gearing up for the 2023 season starting on Sept. 1. Both teams will look to win the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) title.
Preseason rankings
The men's squad received nine votes in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Preseason Poll. Both teams are picked to finish first in the RRAC.
Staff
Head Coach Patrick Torres and Assistant Coach Brett Charlton enter their fourth season with OLLU. The Saints have excelled under their leadership by hoisting the conference trophy in every season. Both teams had two first place finishes last year.
Newcomers
Torres recruited 17 on both the men and women's team. The women have seven newcomers while the men add 11. Freshmen include Victoria Bartlett, Valeria Pena, Jocelynn Reyes, Sanai Robinson, Brianna Rodriguez and Daylah Vega; and junior Kristen Torres. The men welcome freshmen Dominic Alonzo, Josiah Alvarado, Amancio Castilleja, Anthony Cervantes, Tony Favella, Vincent Garza, Jair Lopez, Anthony Perez, Jose Perez, Sigifredo Salinas and Joshua Veliz; and sophomore Ryan Aldana.
Torres commented, "This class is talented, and some have personal records that would make other coaches blush. I'm happy they chose OLLU to help them develop and progress through their careers."
Men's team returners
Hector Puente is the only graduating senior on the men's side. Other returners include Joseph Gonzalez, JoseCarlos Hernandez, Kruz Malesich, Diego Moran, Sebastian Moreno, Robert Rios, Jose Saucedo and Jayden Turrubiates.
Women's team returners
Viridiana Zuniga is the lone senior for the women's squad. She was named to the U.S. Cross-Country Coaches Association All-Academic Team last season and was an NAIA Scholar Athlete. Other returners include Mia Curiel, Liliana Hernandez and Leilani Leza, Sierra Ramirez and Kennedy Villalpando.
Schedule overview
The programs open the 2023 campaign at the UIW Twilight on Sept. 1. They return to UIW later in the month to battle in the UIW Invitational on Sept. 16. The teams head north to compete in the Oklahoma State Cowboy Jamboree on Sept. 23. The next two events take place in San Antonio, with the Saints Collegiate Cross-Country Invite on Oct. 7 and OLLU Cross-Country Invitational on Oct. 21. The final event is the RRAC Championships in Texarkana, Texas, hosted by Texas A&M University-Texarkana (TAMUT).
Conference participants
The women's team placed first last season at the RRAC Championships, followed by TAMUT in second, Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) in third, Huston-Tillotson University (HTU) in fourth, the University of the Southwest (USW) in fifth and Jarvis Christian University (JCU) in sixth. The men's squad also brought home the championship, with the programs finishing in the same order as the women's competition. (Note: the men's championship was forfeited due to ineligible runner.)
The schools participating this season include TAMUT, XULA, HTU, USW, JCU, North American University (NAU) and Texas College (TC). North American will compete in its inaugural season.
Academics
The teams both earned NAIA Scholar Team honors in 2022-2023 with GPAs over 3.0.
Fan attendance
The Saints will host two events this season and encourage fans to come support the teams. Torres said, "We have been consistent at winning titles in the Red River Athletic Conference. We have also been very competitive at a national level. Fans that support racing in any form will enjoy coming out to watch us compete."
Hear from Head Coach Patrick Torres and several Saints players as they discuss the 2023 season.