Complete Results

LAWRENCE, KS:  The Texas Wesleyan University women's cross country team finished 21st at the 2013 NAIA National Championship at Rim Rock Farm on Saturday.  That marks their best finish at the national meet in the program's four-years.
 
The Lady Rams have never failed to reach the national meet.  In their inaugural season, Yazmin Hernandez became the first Lady Ram to qualify.  In 2011, the team finished 28th, and in 2012, 24th.  This season, the Rams improved to 21st in spite of missing the services of the program's most decorated runner, Jessica Davis.
 
Brenda Filipe notched the best individual finish in program history.  Filipe paced the Rams amongst the massive field of 319 runners with a time of 18:27.16 which was good for 27th position.  That finish was enough to earn All-American accolades for the sophomore from Poteau, OK.  She is the first Texas Wesleyan cross country runner to earn that distinction.
 
Nothing much changed at the top as British Columbia repeated as National Champion, while College of Idaho's Hillary Holt flew through the 5K course in 16:48.13 to repeat as individual National Champ.  British Columbia placed three runners in the top-10 and tallied 56 points in their title defense.  The Thunderbirds had been ranked No. 1 nationally all season, becoming just the third team to begin the season ranked No. 1 and go on to win the national title.
 
The Rams, who entered the meet ranked 19th nationally, tallied 524 points to finish 21st.  Maria Aguayo followed Filipe across the line in 19:40.32 to place 160th.  Lauri Gutierrez ran 19:45.35 to finish 168th.  Ann Segovia finished in 20:03.89.  Marisol Lopez ran 20:42.64, and Ariana Hajek ran 22:21.59 to round out Wesleyan's times.
 
"The ladies competed well on a very cold morning," commented head coach Nat Amare.  "This has been a very enjoyable season as a coach.  My two seniors, Jessica [Davis] and Lauri [Gutierrez], will be truly missed.  They have been a big part of establishing the program, and I'm very thankful for all they've done.  Jessica has definitely set a high standard in both cross country and track, and Lauri has accomplished many good things as well.  It is bittersweet, but I know they have left a legacy and set a great foundation for this team.  I can't wait to see our athletes reach and exceed their great accomplishments."
 
Davis has won numerous conference championships and is a four-time All-American in track at Texas Wesleyan.  Gutierrez was a four-time All-Conference selection in cross country.
 
Two other Sooner Athletic Conference squads competed in the Championships.  Oklahoma Baptist finished 7th with 213 points, and Oklahoma City placed 16th with 401 points.
 
This season, Texas Wesleyan posted six top-five finishes in eight events, including three wins.  The team earned its first national ranking and was ranked as high as No. 10 during the regular season.