SILVER CITY, N.M. — Western New Mexico University senior McKenna Sahd (Angel Fire, NM/Cimarron High School) has been named the Lone Star Conference Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week following a personal-best performance at the Highlands University Cross Country Jam.
Sahd led the Mustangs to the team championship at Gene Torres Golf Course in Las Vegas, New Mexico, finishing third overall in the women's 5K with a personal-best time of 18:53.8. Her performance marked an improvement of more than 40 seconds from her previous personal best.
The Angel Fire, New Mexico, native averaged a 6:04.9 mile pace and was the first Mustang across the finish line. Sahd was one of five Western New Mexico runners to place inside the top 11, helping the Mustangs secure the team title. Freshman Sophie Grijalva (Albuquerque, NM/Cibola High School) followed Sahd with a sixth-place finish in 19:06.5, while Sarah Romero (Rio Rancho, NM/Cleveland Sue High School) finished eighth at 19:25.1. Juliana Castillo (Albuquerque, NM/Rio Grande High School) placed 10th in 19:39.0, and Jeannette Rivera (El Paso, TX/Young Women's Leadership Academy) rounded out the Mustangs' top five in 11th at 19:46.0.
The weekly conference honor adds to a strong start to Sahd's senior campaign. She entered the 2026 season as one of Western New Mexico's two selections to the LSC Runners to Watch list alongside Rivera.
Sahd, a senior biology major from Angel Fire, attended Cimarron High School before joining the Mustangs. She also competes for the Western New Mexico track and field program in the distance events.
Sahd's Runner of the Week recognition comes as the Mustangs continue building toward the Lone Star Conference Championships, scheduled for Nov. 7 at the LCU Cross Country Course in Lubbock, Texas.
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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).
