Saturday, October 4
Fayetteville, AR
10:25 A.M.
Stephen F. Austin
at
Chile Pepper Invitational
Photo by: Sarah Williams
‘Jacks trip to Fayetteville for 37th Annual Chile Pepper Festival
10/3/2025 7:36:00 AM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
SFA Men, Women test mettle against handful of the South-Central region’s best at Arkansas’ renowned meet
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Midseason cross country is here for Stephen F. Austin as both squads make the trip to Northwest Arkansas for the ever-competitive Chile Pepper Festival now in its 37th year and featuring some of the region's best teams at multiple levels of collegiate competition. The men's "McDonnell Memorial" 8K fires off at 10:25 a.m. on Saturday, October 4, with the women's "Harter Habanero" 5K starting at 11 a.m. Live results will be available here.
"We are really excited about the Chile Pepper Festival this year," remarked head coach Rob Hansen. "Both groups have done a tremendous job as we approach mid-season; this will be our first big challenge for Fall '25. We're going to learn a lot about ourselves."
Of the top 15 ranked men's teams in the latest South Central Regional poll released by the USTFCCCA, #2 Arkansas, #5 Texas, #12 UT-Arlington and #14 Abilene Christian will be in action. On the women's side, #1 Tulane, #2 Arkansas, #4 Texas, #7 Rice and #14 UT-Arlington are the ranked regional foes competing against SFA.
Hansen added, "We've seen a lot of great things in training, but this will be a great opportunity for us to implement those positives in a pressure situation; I'm confident that both teams can rise to the occasion."
2025 FINISHES (TOP FINISHER)
SFA MEN
Lumberjack Invitational (1st of 3); Lathan Lewter, 15:07 (3K)
Demon Invitational/SLC Preview (1st of 5); Nathan Kapel, 18:04.44 (6K)
SFA WOMEN
Lumberjack Invitational (1st of 3); Valentine Jemutai, 11:19.7 (2 mile)
Demon Invitational/SLC Preview (1st of 5); Valentine Jemutai, 13:52.91 (4K)
'JACKS IN THE REGIONAL RANKINGS
SFA MEN
8/25: 7th
9/15: 6th
9/29: 6th
SFA WOMEN
8/25: 10th
9/15: 10th
9/29: 10th
'JACKS 2025 AWARD WINNERS
9/2: Lathan Lewter – SLC Male Runner of the Week
9/16: Nathan Kapel – SLC Male Runner of the Week
FOLLOW THE LUMBERJACKS
For all the latest information on SFA XC, visit SFAjacks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Lumberjacks on X, Instagram and Facebook.
"We are really excited about the Chile Pepper Festival this year," remarked head coach Rob Hansen. "Both groups have done a tremendous job as we approach mid-season; this will be our first big challenge for Fall '25. We're going to learn a lot about ourselves."
Of the top 15 ranked men's teams in the latest South Central Regional poll released by the USTFCCCA, #2 Arkansas, #5 Texas, #12 UT-Arlington and #14 Abilene Christian will be in action. On the women's side, #1 Tulane, #2 Arkansas, #4 Texas, #7 Rice and #14 UT-Arlington are the ranked regional foes competing against SFA.
Hansen added, "We've seen a lot of great things in training, but this will be a great opportunity for us to implement those positives in a pressure situation; I'm confident that both teams can rise to the occasion."
2025 FINISHES (TOP FINISHER)
SFA MEN
Lumberjack Invitational (1st of 3); Lathan Lewter, 15:07 (3K)
Demon Invitational/SLC Preview (1st of 5); Nathan Kapel, 18:04.44 (6K)
SFA WOMEN
Lumberjack Invitational (1st of 3); Valentine Jemutai, 11:19.7 (2 mile)
Demon Invitational/SLC Preview (1st of 5); Valentine Jemutai, 13:52.91 (4K)
'JACKS IN THE REGIONAL RANKINGS
SFA MEN
8/25: 7th
9/15: 6th
9/29: 6th
SFA WOMEN
8/25: 10th
9/15: 10th
9/29: 10th
'JACKS 2025 AWARD WINNERS
9/2: Lathan Lewter – SLC Male Runner of the Week
9/16: Nathan Kapel – SLC Male Runner of the Week
FOLLOW THE LUMBERJACKS
For all the latest information on SFA XC, visit SFAjacks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Lumberjacks on X, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
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