SANTA CLARITA, CA- The Western New Mexico University women's cross-country team continued its strong 2026 campaign Saturday, placing 11th out of 27 teams at this weekend's meet. The Mustangs finished with a team score of 312 points and a combined time of 2:01:43.8 in the 6K.
WNMU showed its depth throughout the race, with four of the five scoring runners recording personal-best performances in a field that featured 189 total competitors.
Leading the way for the Mustangs was McKenna Sahd (Angel Fire, NM/Cimarron High School), who posted a strong 41st-place finish with a personal-record time of 23:26.9. Sahd established the pace for WNMU and was the first Mustang to cross the finish line.
Sophie Grijalva (Albuquerque, NM/Cibola High School) followed as WNMU's second finisher, placing 58th overall with another personal-best performance. Grijalva completed the 6K in 23:59.2, continuing the strong string of PRs for the Mustangs.
Just three places behind Grijalva was Sarah Romero (Rio Rancho, NM/Cleveland Sue High School), who finished 61st with a PR of 24:04.9. Romero's performance kept the Mustangs tightly grouped as WNMU continued to work its way through the team standings.
Juliana Castillo (Albuquerque, NM/Rio Grande High School) added another personal best for the Mustangs, finishing 76th overall in 24:32.6. Castillo's performance gave WNMU four PRs among its top four finishers and provided another important contribution toward the team's 11th-place finish.
Rounding out WNMU's scoring five was Marissa Hernandez (Mesa, AZ/Chandler High School), who finished 119th with a time of 25:40.5. Hernandez's performance completed the Mustang scoring lineup and helped secure WNMU's place among the top 11 teams in the 27-team field.
The Mustangs' performance was highlighted by the consistency and improvement throughout the lineup. Four of WNMU's five scoring runners established new personal records, demonstrating the team's continued progress as the season moves forward.
With strong individual performances from Sahd, Grijalva, Romero and Castillo, along with a solid team finish, WNMU will look to carry its momentum into its upcoming meets and continue improving as the 2026 season progresses.
***
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).
