GEORGETOWN, TEXAS- The Men's Cross Country team raced at the ACU Naimadu Classic hosted by Abilene Christian in Abilene, Texas on Friday night in their final meet before the 2023 SCAC Championship meet in Seguin. The field hosted ACU, Oral Roberts, Southwestern, Ranger College (M), North Central Texas College, Dallas (M), and Texas Lutheran. 

"We showed our improved fitness last week at DBU, but in a much smaller meet at ACU I wanted to build on that fitness and focus on just racing. The men took to the challenge well and each time they came around the loop, they were ahead of another competitor. Combining the two skills, using fitness to compete, is what it's going to take to achieve our goals at the conference and regional meets which are coming up quickly and I'm very pleased with the process and results of the season so far. Special shoutout to Gannon Hall who broke 30 minutes for the first time. He's battled injuries over the last 18 months and I'm stoked to see him be rewarded for his patience, determination, and hard work," said head coach Joe Sponsel. 

Current SCAC Runner of the Week, Brian Armijo placed 11th overall with a time of 25:53.22. First Year, Kevin Love outkicked Xavier Wines to finish in 18th position. Love went 26:43.38 and Wines went 26:43.96. Positions 20 and 21 also went to Southwestern Runners; Emilio Salas in 27:01.69 and Cade Rosenquist with a time of 27:18.50. 

The Pirates finished in third place, behind second place Oral Roberts and host team, ACU in first. FULL RESULTS

Next up for the Pirates will be the SCAC Championships, hosted by Texas Lutheran University, on October 28th.