CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Texas Wesleyan's Melissa Gonzalez competed at the 39th Annual NAIA Women's Cross Country National Championships at Seminole Valley Park on Friday.
 
On a very cold and windy morning the field of 339 runners trudged through the 5-kilometer course in the 409-acre park that runs along the banks of the Cedar River. The official temperature read 32 degrees with a WNW wind at 10-15 mph.
 
Gonzalez completed the course in a time of 19:33, good for 211th place, about the middle of the pack.
 
"It's an honor to get the opportunity at compete at the national meet," commented Melissa Gonzalez on the accomplishment of competing at the cross country national championships for the third consecutive season. "It takes a lot of hard work and dedication; I hope to return with my teammates next year."
 
2018 Meet Details
 
36 teams competed, while 98 institutions represented. 5 SAC schools were represented (John Brown, Oklahoma City, Science & Arts, Texas Wesleyan and Wayland Baptist)
 
Gonzalez at the NAIA National Championships
 
2018: 19:33
2017: 19:32
2016: 19:18
Average at the national championships: 19:28
 
Gonzalez's 2018 Season Average: 19:26