TTU Cross Country Kicks Off 2021 Season at TTU Open
TTU Cross Country kicked off their 2021 season this last Saturday, September 4th, in Lubbock, Texas, at the LCU Golf Course for the TTU Open. In their first meet of the season, both the men’s and women’s teams would compete against 12 teams.
Women’s
In the TTU Cross Country women’s first meet of the season at the TTU Open, the Lady Raiders would fare well, earning a silver medal. The team would finish with a score of 61 points. Which was just 15 points behind the gold medal winner West Texas A&M who would win with 46 points. On top of an outstanding performance, the team would finish with an average time of 19:18. Which again was just 33 seconds behind West Texas A&M.
Individually in the 5k, the top finishers for the Lady Raiders were Jazmyn Martinez, who finished 6th. And Halena Rahmaan, who finished four seconds later in 7th. The senior Martinez would finish first for the Lady Raiders with a time of 18:5.2 and only score six points on the day. Right being Martinez was sophomore Rahmaan, who finished with a time of 19:03.6 and only tallied up seven points for the Lady Raiders.
Men’s
As for the Men’s side of things, the Red Raiders would also finish with a silver medal behind the gold medal winners West Texas A&M. The Red Raiders would end with an overall score of 76 points. Only 16 points West Texas A&M who would finish with 60 points. While earning a silver medal in their 2021 season debut, the team would finish with an average time of 20:24 and will look to improve as the season progresses.
The first Red Raider to cross the finish line was Walker Hendricks on the individual placing side of things. The freshman would finish 14th place with a time of 20:29.4 and only get 14 points for the Red Raiders. Only two seconds later, junior Luke Estes would finish placing 17th place with a time of 20.31.1. Estes would only bring in 17 points helping the Red Raiders.
Overall Thoughts on TTU Open
Overall, in their season-opener meet, TTU Cross Country at the TTU Open would fare well on both the men’s and women’s sides. With two second-place team finishes and a few top finishes on the women’s side. The team, while having success, will have much to work on moving forward.
Texas Tech Cross Country will continue their season Saturday, September 18th, in Stillwater, Oklahoma, at the Cowboy Jamboree. At the meet, Texas Tech will have the opportunity to compete against Big 12 Conferences foes and some tough competition. The meet will help prepare the Red Raiders and Lady Raiders for the Big 12 Championships on Friday, October 29th. Where they will face similar competition as they look to make a run at the NCAA Championships.
Checkout Texas Tech’s full cross country schedule here!
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Story by Campus Live Employee Trinity Porter