University of Houston Athletics
University of Houston
Texas A&M Invitational
Brian Barraza Wins Texas A&M Invitational
9/26/2015 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
HOUSTON -- Junior distance runner Brian Barraza continued his strong start to the 2015 season claiming the individual championship in the men's 8K at the Texas A&M Invitational in College Station, Texas on Saturday. The men's team finished the overall competition in seventh while the women finished 12th.
Barraza used a strong kick in the final 400m of the race to finish in 23:28.4 and edge out Charles Mathenge of Stephen F Austin by just over three seconds. The win marks back-to-back victories for Barraza as the El Paso, Texas native took home the 5.5K Rice Invitational individual championship on Sept. 11.
Senior James Broussard finished next for the Cougars placing 26th in 24:29.1, while sophomore Blake Contreras finished in 24:43.2 to take 37th. Senior Yonas Tesfai and freshman Kody Anderson rounded out the scoring for the men with Tesfai taking 55th in 25:07.4, and Anderson running 25:46.3 to finish 74th.
For the third consecutive meet, junior Maddie Brown finished as Houston's top women's runner. Brown finished in 47th in 22:02.7, and teammate Ebony White was right on her heels in 22:07.3 to finish 49th. A trio of freshmen rounded out the scoring for the Cougar women with Nikita Prasad finishing 59th in 22:31.9, Meredith Sorensen finishing in 22:35.4 to place 62nd, and Britani Gonzales taking 82nd in 23:14.2.
Houston's men team scored 192 points to finish in seventh place while the women scored 299 points to finish 12th.
HOUSTON RESULTS
Men (Seventh, 192 points)
1. Brian Barraza, 23:38.4
25. James Broussard, 24:29.1
37. Blake Contreras, 24:43.2
55. Yonas Tesfai, 25:07.4
74. Kody Anderson, 25:46.3
75. Gabe Lara, 25:49.3
83. Edwin Munoz, 26:07.5
Women (12th, 299 points)
47. Maddie Brown, 22:02.2
49. Ebony White, 22:07.3
59. Nikita Prasad, 22:31.9
62. Meredith Sorensen, 22:35.4
82. Britani Gonzales, 23:14.2
84. Emely Morgado, 23:19.9
96. Maria Gonzales, 24:04.4
UP NEXT FOR HOUSTON
The Cougars return to Houston for their final tune-up before the postseason push. Houston will compete in the HBU Invitational, the second of two meets hosted by Houston Baptist, on Friday, Oct. 9 beginning at 5 p.m.
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Players Mentioned
