Huntsville, Texas- The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) men's cross country team opened their season with a statement performance at the Bearkat Twilight meet, finishing second overall in a highly competitive field that included NCAA Division I and Division II programs. The Saints tied host Sam Houston in points, but clinched second place by virtue of a faster total team time—1:21:36 to Sam Houston's 1:21:45—edging them out with an average time of 16:19 compared to the Bearkats' 16:21. The tiebreaker sealed the deal for the Bearkats.

OLLU was led by Damon Gutierrez, who dominated the 5K race from start to finish. His winning time of 15:46 put him at the front of the pack and set the tone for the Saints. Isai Moran followed with a strong performance of his own, finishing third overall in 16:04 and holding off a late surge from Sam Houston runners. Joseph Gonzalez and Tony Favella ran in tandem for much of the race, both crossing the line at 16:28 to take 8th and 9th place, respectively. Joel Telles rounded out the top five for the Saints with a gritty 14th-place finish in 16:48, sealing the team's competitive edge.

Sebastian Moreno also contributed to the team's depth, finishing 27th with a time of 17:38. His presence in the pack helped maintain the Saints' pace and strategy throughout the race.

While both teams finished with the same number of points, it was OLLU's consistency and tighter spread that made the difference. Their total team time bested Sam Houston by nine seconds, showcasing the Saints' strength not just at the front, but across the board. In doing so, OLLU also outpaced Texas A&M-Kingsville, an impressive win over a quality opponent.

Against top-tier competition, the Saints proved they belong in the conversation. With a dominant individual win, a balanced team effort, and a well-earned second-place finish.