RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The Texas Wesleyan women's cross country team competed at the UCR 38th annual CC Invitational. The Lady Rams finished 17 of 20, racing against a field of 218.
 
Melissa Gonzalez led the team through the 5k course, finishing 41st with a time of 18:56.5.  
 
"It was our first big race of the season," commented head coach Nat Amare. "I was very happy with how we started off, but we have work to do."
 
 The team is looking to get back to nationals. The last time the Lady Rams competed for a national championship was in 2015.
 
The Runnin' Rams joined the rest of the field on University of California – Riverside's Agriculture Operations Course. The course was developed for the 1979 NCAA DII National Championships and boasts a unique aspect. The west end of the course is 100 feet lower than the start/finish area, making the first part of the course fast and the home stretch a literal uphill battle.
 
Next up for Texas Wesleyand XC is the Midwestern State University Red River XC Shootout on Friday, September 28. That race is scheduled for a 5 p.m. start in Wichita Falls, Texas.
 
Texas Wesleyan results

Place    Name                           Time   
41        Melissa Gonzalez        18:56
117      Rianna Vidales            20:08
128      Chloe Riley                 20:18
159      Jaclyn Ramos              21:04
171      Griselda Jasso             21:23
201      Crystal Oliver              23:21
17        TXWES                     1:41:46