FORT WORTH, TX— The Western New Mexico University men's cross-country team traveled to Fort Worth, Texas, to compete in the Men's 8K Run at the Old Glory Gallup. The Mustangs faced a competitive field of collegiate runners, with several Western New Mexico athletes recording finishes across the 8K course.

Samuel Ketcham (Goodyear, AZ/Canyon View High School) led the highlighted group of Mustangs, finishing 38th overall with a time of 24:33.85. Ketcham was the first highlighted Western New Mexico runner to cross the finish line, leading the way for the Mustangs in a race that tested the field's endurance and consistency over the 8-kilometer distance.

Cameron Shorty (Albuqurque, NM/Atrisco Heritage Academy High School) was the next highlighted Mustang to finish, placing 62nd overall with a time of 24:54.48. Shorty joined Ketcham among the top 100 finishers, giving Western New Mexico two runners finishing in that group at the Fort Worth meet.

Jacob Corral (El Paso, TX/Americas High School) followed with a time of 25:42.79, earning 151st place overall. Dylan Stout (Albuquerque, NM/Volcano Vista High School) and Morgan Haan (Albuquerque, NM/Edorado High School) finished close together, recording back-to-back finishes in 165th and 166th place, respectively. Stout crossed the finish line in 25:51.46, while Haan finished just three-hundredths of a second later with a time of 25:51.49. The close finishes highlighted the competitive nature of the race as runners worked their way through the field.

Jonah Cortez (Rio Rancho, NM/Cleveland Sue High School) continued the Mustangs' results, finishing 189th overall with a time of 26:04.63. Alexander Cano (El Paso, TX/San Elizario High School) rounded out the highlighted Western New Mexico finishers, crossing the finish line in 28:17.72 to place 399th overall.

The Old Glory Gallup gave the Mustangs another opportunity to compete against collegiate competition in a major meet setting. Racing in the 8K requires athletes to maintain their pace,
manage their effort throughout the course, and finish strong over the longer distance. The experience gained in Fort Worth provides another opportunity for the team to evaluate its performance and continue working toward its goals for the season.

With seven highlighted runners completing the race, Western New Mexico continued to represent the university on the collegiate cross-country stage. The Mustangs will look to build on their experience at the Old Glory Gallup as they prepare for their upcoming competitions and continue progressing through the remainder of the season.