Stephen F. Austin
SLC Championships
`Jacks Sweep Second at SLC Championships
10/30/2015 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
2015 Southland Conference Championships
Country Campus Golf Course • Huntsville, Texas
Team Results: Men (2nd of 12 teams); Women (2nd of 12 teams)
Race Information: Men – 8k race (93 runners); Women – 6k race (84 runners)
Complete Results: Men 
• Women
HUNTSVILLE, Texas – For the second straight year, the Stephen F. Austin men’s and women’s cross country teams earned runner-up finishes at the 2015 Southland Conference Championships held at the Country Campus Golf Course in Huntsville on Friday morning.
In one of the tightest men’s races in league history, the Lumberjacks came just two points shy of first place Lamar. SFA put five runners in the top 11 for 29 total team points, but LU also ran well to win the meet with 27 points. It was a two-team race as the ‘Jacks cruised past third place McNeese by 50 points.
“It was a little disappointing to lose by two points because I know how badly our guys wanted to win,” said cross country coach Cody Clark. “I told the team that if we got four guys in the top ten we’d win the meet. Unfortunately, Lamar put five in the top 10. I feel like we did everything we could have today. We just came up a little bit short.”
Junior Charles Mathenge repeated as the runner-up in the 8,000-meter race, posting a time of 24:35.9. Leading throughout the first half of the race, Mathenge crossed 11 seconds behind Lamar freshman Iliass Aouani.
Mathenge was followed closely by teammates Nick Guerra and Colby Mehmen to give the ‘Jacks three of the first four finishers. Guerra was clocked at 24:37.1 to grab third place and Mehmen, who finished eighth last year, took fourth with a time of 24:43.9. The trio will be named to the All-SLC First Team for their efforts.
Redshirt sophomore Jeffrey Weisheit snuck into the top ten to garner Second Team All-SLC honors. His time of 25:21.0 was good enough for ninth overall. Capping the point earners for the men was senior Cody Brown who claimed 11th place in 25:24.4.
The women also had an outstanding day, compiling 52 team points on the morning – nine points short of first place Abilene Christian’s 43. The Ladyjacks blew out 2014 SLC Champion Lamar by 32 points thanks to three all-conference performers.
“Our women did about as good as they could have today,” said Clark. “We put three in the top ten and I thought if we did that, we could have a shot at the team title. We lost by just nine points to a really good ACU team. We’re happy with it, but not satisfied. It was a good effort overall. Our three through five runners basically came in together which was good to see. We probably ran to the best of our ability which is all we can ask. Now we’ll begin preparation for the regional meet.”
Redshirt sophomore Courtney High paved the way, coming in fifth at 21:18.1 to warrant First Team All-SLC accolades. Senior Shelby Pesek improved on her 2014 SLC performance by taking eighth place in 21:29.4. Joining the Ladyjack veteran on the second team all-conference squad was junior Katrina Fite. She took 10th place with a mark of 21:39.5.
Sophomore Taylor Anderson, Brittany Innis and Rana Ryan came in together in the 14-16 range, respectfully. Anderson completed the 6,000-meter course in 22:04.3, followed by Innis’ 22:08.8 and Ryan’s 22:14.9.
SFA will now focus on the 2015 NCAA South Central Regional Meet at Texas A&M on Saturday, Nov. 13. National Championship berths will be on the line when the ‘Jacks compete against the best the region has to offer.
2015 Southland Conference Championships
Men – 2nd Place (29 points)
8,000 meters
2. Charles Mathenge – 24:35.9*
3. Nick Guerra – 24:37.1*
4. Colby Mehmen – 24:43.9*
9. Jeffrey Weisheit – 25:21.0^
11. Cody Brown – 25:24.4
--
28. Josh Torres – 26:07.8
31. Anthony Gallardo – 26:13.8
33. Matt Farina – 26:15.0
Women – 2nd Place (52 points)
6,000 meters
5. Courtney High – 21:18.1*
8. Shelby Pesek – 21:29.4^
10. Katrina Fite – 21:39.5^
14. Taylor Anderson – 22:04.3
15. Brittany Innis – 22:08.8
--
16. Rana Ryan – 22:14.9
24. Samantha Ottman – 22:51.8
44. Mary Luster – 23:42.3
* First Team All-SLC
^ Second Team All-SLC
-SFA-
