- Texas A&M swept the men’s and women’s team titles at the Aggie Opener.
- Senior Jack Johnston set a Watts course 5K record at 14:48.3.
- Freshman Laney Barnes paced the women with a second place finish in 10:48.8.
COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M cross country program kicked off the season with a home sweep at the Aggie Opener Friday night at the Watts Cross Country Course.
The Aggies secured victories on both the men’s and women’s sides, finishing ahead of state foes Houston, Baylor and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Texas A&M produced five top-five finishes, highlighted by Jack Johnston's 5K course record time of 14:48.3. On the women’s side, Laney Barnes led the way with a runner-up finish in her Aggie debut stopping the clock at 10:48.8.
Johnston was followed by Gavin Chapa, who finished third in 15:16.8, while Hunter Jackson placed seventh at 15:32.8. Aiden Gonzalez-Rodiles crossed the line eighth in 15:35.0, followed by Noah Willows in 14th (15:53.2) and Zack Munger in 19th (16:09.6).
In the women's 2-mile race, Barnes was followed by Alexandra Fox who delivered a strong second half of the race, moving up 14 positions to finish third in 10:49.3. Megan Roberts rounded out Texas A&M's top three with a fourth-place finish in 10:49.3. Emma Little and Kennady Fontenot completed the scoring finishing 11th (11:17.2) and 14th (11:21.0), respectively.
On the women’s side, Texas A&M won the team competition with 34 points, followed by Houston in second with 42 points. Baylor placed third with 88 points, while Texas A&M-Corpus Christi placed fourth with 93 points. Houston Christian finished fifth with 129 points, and Texas Southern rounded out the field in sixth with 148 points.
Texas A&M won the men’s team competition with 33 points, followed by Houston in second with 38 points. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi finished third with 77 points, while Baylor placed fourth with 97 points. Houston Christian finished fifth with 118 points, and Texas Southern rounded out the field in sixth with 153 points.
The Aggies stay at home for the Texas A&M Invitational on Sept. 11 at Watts Cross Country Course. The meet will begin at 8 a.m. with the men running an 8K, followed by the women at 8:35 a.m. in the 5K.
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