The Horned Frogs kicked off their 2017 cross country season at the Bear Twilight Invitational Friday night where the women competed in the 4000-meter race and the men in the 6000-meter race.

On the women’s side, senior Nicole Hicks was the first to cross the finish line. Hicks grabbed 16th place overall with a time of 14:19.1– knocking 20 seconds off her previous season opening time.

“I’m used to her being steady throughout the race,” assistant coach Jennifer Fazioli said. “I’m really encouraged about where she will be at the end of the season.”

Freshman Evelyn Mandel completed her first collegiate race with a time of 14:25:5, finishing second for the women and placing 19th overall.

“She’s going to be a blue-collar runner,” Fazioli said. “She’s gritty and she’ll never give up.”

Freshman Lindsay Tomaini finished right behind Mandel with a time of 14:31.5. Junior Elizabeth Baker (14:40.2), senior Dominique Tilly (14:45.5), sophomore Kirsten Johnson (14:48.7) and junior Erin Barth (14:50.2) finished consecutively, placing 24th-28th.

“They did exactly what I told them to do,” Fazioli said. “They all picked it up and moved up over the course of the race.”

Senior Henry Butz was the first to finish for the men’s team, placing 31st with a time of 19:36.4.

“I think he ran really well,” Fazioli said. “It should give him a lot of confidence and I want to see him finish his senior year out well.”

Junior Patrick LaCour (19:44.1), junior Dylan Brokmeyer (19:48.6) and freshman Kelby Caplinger (19:49.7) finished next.

Next Up

The Frogs will travel to Round Rock, TX, to compete at the Texas Preview on Thursday, Sept. 14.