Posted: Aug 30, 2019
LEANDER, Texas. – The Southwestern University Pirates men's cross country team started the season strong with freshman Noah Dennis and sophomore Nathan Botros winning first and second place in the Tornado Watch Invitational 5k at Williamson County Park.
Dennis, an Austin native, wasted no time making his mark in his first collegiate race with a time of 16:42 and averaging 5:22 a mile. Not too far behind Dennis, sophomore runner Botros closed in second place with a time of 17:10 averaging 5:31 a mile. Two runners from Concordia University Texas grabbed third and fourth place but not too far behind Southwestern's C.P. Shaulis was the fifth runner in the race to run under 17 minutes with a time of 17:28 averaging 5:37 a mile
"Noah Dennis ran a great race. He is very confident right now, as are Nathan Botros and C.P. Shaulis," said Southwestern Coach Steven Cary. "That's what we need as we move forward and race against the tougher competition this season."
"Noah Dennis ran a great race. He is very confident right now, as are Nathan Botros and C.P. Shaulis," said Southwestern Coach Steven Cary. "That's what we need as we move forward and race against the tougher competition this season."
Doug Ginsberg, Alijah Ontiveros, Vincent Kim and Fred Banuelos finished in the top 25 and helped complete the men's team score of 31 points to finish in second place.
Coaching his first meet as the Pirates head cross country coach, Cary seemed pleased with the results and the men's effort in their first race.
"I was really happy with the teamwork this morning. I thought we packed well upfront and our second pack stayed together as well. This was the ideal season opener for our men. It was a low key meet and against teams outside of our conference, so we're easing them into things this fall."
Up next, men's cross country will prepare to compete in the Saints Invitational at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio on Sept. 21st.
Coaching his first meet as the Pirates head cross country coach, Cary seemed pleased with the results and the men's effort in their first race.
"I was really happy with the teamwork this morning. I thought we packed well upfront and our second pack stayed together as well. This was the ideal season opener for our men. It was a low key meet and against teams outside of our conference, so we're easing them into things this fall."
Up next, men's cross country will prepare to compete in the Saints Invitational at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio on Sept. 21st.
