SILVER CITY, N.M.-With the beginning of the WNMU's fall school year around the corner, the Western New Mexico Men's and Women's Cross Country teams have officially announced their 2023 season schedule. The Mustangs look to compete at four post season meets, following the Lone Star Conference Championships on the 21^st of October and NCAA Regional Championships on the 4^th of November.
 
The men's team looks to land on the podium at the Lone Star Conference Championships this season as they were just 4 points shy from placing 3^rd as a team last year. With both Aaron and Elias Perez (El Paso, TX/Eastwood HS) returning as the team's fastest competitors, Head Coach Macario Campos states that "the recruiting class that we have brought in this year, that's what the expectation is. To fill some gaps and compete at Conference[LSC Championships]. That is their job." One thing that Campos says needs to change this season is "to stay healthy in order to accomplish the goals that we're setting this season". The men's team had 3 LSC honors last year, which also include LSC Freshman Newcomer of the year Rowan Flores (Española, NM/Los Alamos HS) who had finished last year at the LSC Championships with a time of 26:11.6min. 
 
Campos feels strong this year with the LSC Championships held by Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds as both teams look to race at a lower elevation in Portales, NM.
 
On the women's side, the Mustangs will have a new top runner this upcoming season with Gracey Lovato (Rio Rancho, NM/Rio Rancho HS) transferring to New Mexico Highlands. She received All-Conference last season as she placed 15^th overall at the LSC Championships held by Midwestern State. But even with that loss, Coach Campos says "we gained a closer pack that I definitely feel is even stronger than last year's team. Going back to staying healthy if our women's team is able to do that, then we will see those improvements that we want".
 
Saturday. Sept. 2^nd
Lori Fitzgerald Invite 
Las Cruces, NM
 
 
Friday. Sept. 15^th
Texas Tech Open
Lubbock, TX
 
 
Saturday. Sept. 23^rd
Cougar Challenge
San Marcos, CA
 
 
Saturday. Oct. 7^th
DBU Old Glory Gallup
Dallas, TX
 
Saturday. Oct. 21^st
Lone Star Conference Championships
Portales, NM
 
 
Saturday. Nov. 4^th
NCAA DII South Central Regional Championships
Lubbock,TX

This announcement is presented by First American Bank. First American Bank is a proud supporter of WNMU Athletics!  

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Western New Mexico University is a member of the NCAA Division II, and the Lone Star Conference (LSC). For additional information regarding Mustang Athletics, visit www.wnmumustangs.com; visit wnmu.edu for more information about Western New Mexico University. Follow the Mustangs on social media: @WNMUathletics (Twitter, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube & Instagram).