College Station, Texas- The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) women's cross country team took on a demanding two-day stretch, competing in back-to-back meets against some of the toughest competition in the region. With one athlete racing Friday at the UIW Invitational and the full team lining up Saturday at the Texas A&M Invitational, the Saints once again demonstrated their grit, growth, and competitive spirit.

On Friday, freshman Reese Vernieuw stepped up as the sole female competitor for OLLU at the UIW Invitational. Running against a deep field of athletes, Vernieuw clocked a time of 22:39 in the 5K, placing 102nd overall. Her effort highlighted the commitment of the team's younger runners, and her willingness to compete solo reflected the determination that continues to grow within the program.

Saturday's meet at the Texas A&M Invitational placed OLLU among a field loaded with NCAA Division I and II talent, including several regionally and nationally ranked programs. Despite the steep competition, the Saints delivered a strong team performance, finishing 12th out of 14 and showing that they are ready to challenge even the most established programs.

Mia Curiel led the way for OLLU with a standout performance, running a personal best time of 18:45 in the 5K and finishing 45th overall. Zaddie Santacruz followed with a time of 19:43, placing 90th and showing great consistency. Liliana Hernandez crossed the line in 20:08, earning 104th place, while Leilani Leza came through at 20:34 to finish 116th. Daylah Vega and Claudia Lopez rounded out the team's efforts with times of 21:57 and 24:32, placing 136th and 142nd respectively.

The meet served as a valuable test and an opportunity to measure progress against some of the best teams in the country. With a mix of personal bests, emerging talent, and a full team effort, the Saints took a meaningful step forward in their season. As the competition intensifies, OLLU continues to prove it belongs on the line with some of the region's best, building a foundation for future success through every stride.