CLINTON, Miss. – For the first time in five years, the Texas A&M University-Commerce men's cross country team was crowned as meet champs, while the Lion women were represented by top finisher Anete Randma, winning her first race as a Lion at the Watson Classic on Friday.
 
The Lion men totaled 31 points to win the meet, which was 10 points better than the host, Mississippi College. It is the first race win as a team for the Lions since winning the East Texas Shootout at home in 2019.
 
Randma (Tallinn, Estonia) timed 22:23.63 to win her first race as a Lion in the six-kilometer course on Friday morning. The Lion women placed fifth as a team in the race.
 
"Today we took another positive step forward. I am very proud of the way they ran together, and the way they ran for each other, showing tremendous discipline and poise," said coach Mark Hamiter"

"I love each of these men and women immensely, and seeing what they are willing to do for each other brings tears to my eyes."
 
MEN (Full Results HERE)
Josh Shanahan (Noosaville, Australia) was the top finisher for the Lions, timing 24:46.10 for 3^rd place, followed by Casey Novelo (Bedford – Trinity) in fourth with a time of 24:47.30, Alex Speer (Robinson) in fifth with a time of 24:47.80, and Nicholas Deutsch (Frisco) in seventh with a time of 24:59.60 in the eight-kilometer race.
 
The Lions' fifth finisher to secure the win was Jeremiah Garcia (Northwest Eaton) timing 25:26.70 for 13^th. A&M-Commerce 3-4-5-6-7-12 for the win, while Mississippi College went 1-2-8-13-17. The field of teams included two fellow Southland squads.
 
Noah Fernandez (San Antonio Central Catholic) clocked in at 26:06.10 for 33^rd, Abdisa Ali (McKinney North) was 42^nd with a time of 26:23.60, Yosef Abdulrazeq (Mansfield Legacy) was 44^th with a time of 26:25.00, and Tristen Sabin (Frisco – Independence) clocked in at 26:31.80 for 51^st.
 
To round out the Lions, Abel Solorio (Cumberland Academy) finished in 64^th place with a time of 26:50.00 and Taylor Warrick (Stockdale) took 84^th with a time of 27:17.37. Joe Cruz (Hillsboro) was 104^th with a time of 27:44.60, and Lance Davis (Miller Grove) took 112^th with a time of 27:55.90.
 
WOMEN (Full Results HERE)
Behind the race-winning performance from Randma, Haleigh Risner (Winnsboro) was in 14^th place with a time of 23:33.72, Mareva Heck (Marseille, France) was in 15^th place with a time of 23:40.68, Riley Roberts (Bullard) finished 30^th with a time of 24:29.04, and Oriana Gee (Cy-Lakes) was 111^th with a time of 26:50.65.
 
UP NEXT
The Lions now prepare for the Southland Conference Championships, which are hosted by New Orleans on November 1.