Huntsville, Texas- The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) women's cross country team opened their season with a strong showing at the Bearkat Twilight meet, finishing second overall in a competitive field that included NCAA Division I host Sam Houston. Though the Bearkats claimed the team title, the Saints held their own from start to finish, placing ahead of Texas A&M-Kingsville and showcasing the depth and promise of a team ready to make noise this season.

Leading the charge for OLLU was Mia Curiel, who delivered a standout performance in the women's 5K race. Curiel placed second overall with a time of 19:02, battling with Sam Houston's frontrunner and setting the pace for the rest of the Saints. Her commanding finish set the tone for a cohesive team effort that followed close behind.

Liliana Hernandez crossed the line in 6th place with a time of 20:39, showing strength through the middle stages of the race and securing key points for the team. Not far behind was Leilani Leza, who ran a solid 21:16 to finish 8th. Reese Vernieuw added to the Saints' scoring effort with a 10th-place finish in 21:27, and Daylah Vega rounded out the top five in 12th place with a time of 21:46. Claudia Lopez followed close behind in 14th at 22:10, demonstrating the kind of depth that gives the Saints a real edge moving forward.

With six runners finishing in the top 14 out of 20 total competitors, the Saints left no doubt about their ability to compete at a high level. Their second-place finish, ahead of Texas A&M-Kingsville another Division II NCAA school, marks a strong start to the season and signals that OLLU is ready to build momentum in the meets to come. The Saints raced with confidence, unity, and toughness—qualities that will continue to drive them as the season progresses.

The Saints cross country team will be back in action on September 12th at UIW XC Invitational.