SANTA CLARITA, CA - The Western New Mexico University men's cross-country team turned in a strong performance Saturday, finishing 10th out of 27 teams in a highly competitive field at this weekend's meet. The Mustangs finished with a team score of 274 points and a combined time of 2:11:55, while four of WNMU's five scoring runners recorded personal records in the men's 8K.
Leading the way for the Mustangs was senior standout Samuel Ketcham (Goodyear, AZ/Canyon View High School), who delivered one of the top performances in program history. Ketcham crossed the finish line in sixth place overall with a personal-record time of 24:49.1.
Ketcham's performance was more than just a personal best, as his time moved him into fourth on WNMU's all-time 8K performance list. His sixth-place finish also gave the Mustangs a strong individual presence near the front of a field that featured 219 total runners.
Behind Ketcham, the Mustangs continued to put together a strong showing throughout the field.
Jacob Corral (El Paso, TX/Americas High School) was the second Mustang across the finish line, placing 57th overall with a personal-record time of 26:15.0. Corral's performance helped WNMU maintain a strong position in the team standings as the Mustangs worked through the competitive 8K field.
Jonah Cortez (Rio Rancho, NM/Cleveland Sue High School) was next for WNMU, finishing 82nd in 26:43.9, also recording a personal best. Cortez was followed by Dylan Stout (Albuquerque, NM/Volcano Vista High School), who crossed the finish line in 96th place with another PR, running 26:58.8.
Rounding out WNMU's scoring five was Morgan Haan (Albuquerque, NM/Edorado High School), who finished 106th overall with a time of 27:08.
The Mustangs' depth was on display throughout the race, with four of the team's five scoring runners recording personal-best times. With Ketcham's historic performance at the front and strong improvements throughout the lineup, WNMU earned a 10th-place team finish against 26 other programs.
The performance gives the Mustangs momentum as they continue through the 2026 season, with the team continuing to build on its individual improvements while competing for stronger finishes as the championship portion of the season approaches.
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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 (X, TikTok & Instagram)
