THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University cross-country squads battled with 40 other teams at the Arturo Barrios Invite, hosted by Texas A&M University on Saturday morning. The women's 6k featured 342 total participants, while the men's 8k race had 376 total racers.

The Colonel women had four individuals finish within the top 200 including Senior Elsa Rijpstra ran the 6k course with a time of 21:59.5 to earn 60th place. The next two Colonels to finish were juniors Megan Nevlud (22:42.6) and Elaina Hansen (23.03), who claimed 119th and 142nd, respectively. Senior Ceren Yilmaz placed 187th finishing with a time of 23:36.8.

The Nicholls' men squad had four individuals place within the top 300 including junior Randy Canady who finished the course in 25:45.9 to place 141st. Sophomore Luke Futey (26:55.1) placed 244th, senior Preston Whisenhunt (27:38) finished 285th, and graduate student Dustin Worley (27:51.5) placed 292, to round out the Colonels' top finishes.

Overall, the women finished 24th and the men finished 37th in the team standings.

UP NEXT
The Colonels will have a week off before they host the Southland Conference Championship at Nicholls Farm in Thibodaux on Friday, Oct. 28.

STAY SOCIAL
For more information on Colonels Track & Field/Cross Country, follow the team on Twitter (@Nicholls_XCTF), Instagram (@nichollstfxc), and like their Facebook page (Nicholls Athletics).