By Brianna Cravens, Copy Editor
The Hardin-Simmons University men and women's cross country teams competed in the American Southwest Conference Championship on Saturday, Nov. 2 at the Abilene Christian University Cross Country Course.
The men’s cross country team finished in second place with a total of 56 points. Tyler Rohrman, a senior at HSU, led the Cowboys with an individual second place finish and a time of 26:04, breaking the men’s school record in the 8k and being named first team all-ASC.
The Cowboys had three other runners place in the top 14. Eric Monroy finished eighth, Zach Mitchell finished 11th and Sammy Magallen finished 13th. All three men were named second team all-ASC and Monroy was also named ASC Men's Freshman of the Year.
In an email interview, Rohrman explained how it felt to finish second and to break the men’s HSU school record in the 8k. “Being a senior and finishing second at one of the biggest meets of the year is a great feeling. I felt this race had me compete with the boldest racing strategies of my career, and to get first team all-conference and break the HSU school record was truly a memorable moment,” Rohrman wrote.
Rohrman also shared what his favorite part of the season has been. “My favorite part of the season so far has been seeing my parents at the conference meet. Since my freshman year, they have made it to every championship meet and that support is just something I could never take for granted,” Rohrman wrote.
The women’s cross country team won the championship with a total of 42 points. This year’s ASC win by the Cowgirls made it their second ASC title in a row following last season.
Sydney Tencate, a senior at HSU, finished first overall with a time of 22:29 and was named first team all-ASC. Tencate’s time in the 6k broke the school record she set two weeks prior on Oct. 19 at the Bill Libby Invitational, as well as set a new ASC women’s record.
Several other members of the women’s team placed in the top 14 spots. Madison Hemenway finished eighth, Shelby Schmidt finished ninth, Riley Stirm finished 10th and Lynda Farmer finished 14th. All four were named second team all-ASC.
In an email interview, Tencate explained how it felt to finish first overall and to break the ASC women’s record in the 6k. “To be honest, I have waited a long time for this moment. I have worked really hard and it has paid off. I was super excited not just for myself, but for my team as well, since we won together,” Tencate wrote.
Tencate explained what her favorite part of the season has been so far. “My favorite part has been spending time with the girls on and off the track. I would say winning conference was amazing, but also just cheering for each other in practice and having movie nights would fall into my favorite part of this season,” Tencate wrote.
The NCAA South/Southwest Regional race was held on Nov. 16 in Memphis, Tenn. for those who qualified. Tencate shared what her goal was for the race. “My goal is to place top 10 so that I can qualify for nationals,” Tencate wrote.
Magallen shared the goal for the men’s team at the regional race. “We want to at least end up being in the top 10 when it’s all said and done. This team has a chance to make some noise. Top to bottom, we have a strong team that’s capable of competing, and having success at this stage. This group of men has put together a fantastic training block over the last few months, and it’s time to for us to really make a name for ourselves at the regional level. Getting second at conference the past two years stings, but we have another chance to run it back and toe the line with some great teams,” Magallen said.