General 10/4/2026 9:34:00 AM

Blinn cross country teams turn in strong performances at SU Showdown

Buccaneers win men's team title and place fifth in women's competition at Southwestern University

General 10/4/2026 9:34:00 AM

Blinn cross country teams turn in strong performances at SU Showdown

Buccaneers win men's team title and place fifth in women's competition at Southwestern University

The Blinn College men's cross country team dominated the field Saturday at the SU Showdown in Georgetown, Texas, while the Buccaneers' women's team also turned in a strong performance against a field of 13 teams.

Hosted by NCAA Division III Southwestern University, the meet provided Blinn with an opportunity to work on race execution as the Bucs prepare for the most important portion of their season.

The Blinn men won the team title with 17 points, placing seven runners among the top eight in a field of 110 competitors. Sophomore Brandon Lopez won the individual title in 26:12.73, followed by sophomore Matthew Binkley in second (26:16.43), sophomore Gage Horejsi in third (26:52.15), freshman James Hadwin in fifth (27:00.71), freshman Braden Greenaway in sixth (27:03.57), sophomore Nolan Schreiber in seventh (27:04.57), and sophomore Aidan Hernandez in eighth (27:25.22).

East Texas A&M's Samuel Pepe was the only non-Blinn runner to finish among the top eight, placing fourth in 26:52.16.

"We knew coming into this meet that we could do quite well, given the level of competition, especially after racing at UIW and Texas A&M the past two meets," Blinn head coach Jesse Parker said. "This was a four-loop race, and Matthew ran with the lead pack of runners early, while the rest of the group followed behind. By the time I saw them on the second lap, the group had caught all but three other runners. On the third loop, Brandon was just ahead of Matt and only the East Texas A&M athlete was with our group."

The Blinn women placed fifth with 131 points among 13 teams and 120 competitors. The Bucs were led by freshman Mehria Rashidi, who finished 25th in 24:55.41. Freshman Annie Fildes placed 26th in 25:03.12, followed by freshman Genesis Rivera in 30th (25:19.81), freshman Mary Antkowiak in 31st (25:23.72) and sophomore Rosario Botello in 32nd (25:29.51).

Blinn's top five runners finished within 34 seconds of one another.

"Our women's team raced very well and executed a good race," Parker said. "They raced 6,000 meters compared to the standard NJCAA distance of 5,000, and they handled it very well. That gives me confidence that we've done a good job building endurance and learning how to execute a race well. As we continue to do more faster workouts, we should have a good combination of speed and endurance as we get into the back half of October."

Parker also praised Fildes' confidence and Rashidi's strong finish.

"We had a tight pack of five runners between 24:55 and 25:29," he said. "Annie led our women's group most of the race, and I like seeing her race with more confidence. She has the ability to back it up. Mehria was our top finisher, running a very strong final 2,000 meters to pass quite a few runners."

The course featured several hills and muddy sections, contributing to slower times throughout the meet. Parker said the conditions and level of competition nevertheless made the meet valuable for the Bucs.

"The course was very hilly and muddy in several spots, so the finish times were a little slow because of this," Parker said. "The competition was a lower caliber than the past two meets at UIW and A&M, but it was a good opportunity to work on executing a good race, not going out too fast or slow, and not relaxing too much in the middle. I also think today gave the athletes some confidence going into the biggest meets over the next month and a half."

The Bucs will return to action at the Old Glory Gallup hosted by Dallas Baptist University on Saturday, Oct. 17, in Dallas, where Parker expects a significantly larger and more competitive field.

"All in all, this meet was a good trip, and now the focus is on the Old Glory Gallup in two weeks, where we'll see 40-plus teams and many of the West Texas and Kansas junior colleges," Parker said.

Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 53 national championships since 1987.

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Players Mentioned

Matthew Binkley: Sophomore

Braden Greenaway: Freshman

James Hadwin: Freshman

Aidan Hernandez: Sophomore

Gage Horejsi: Sophomore

Brandon Lopez: Sophomore

Nolan Schreiber: Sophomore

Mary Antkowiak: Freshman

Rosario Botello: Sophomore

Annie Fildes: Freshman

Players Mentioned

Matthew Binkley
: Sophomore

Braden Greenaway
: Freshman

James Hadwin
: Freshman

Aidan Hernandez
: Sophomore

Gage Horejsi
: Sophomore

Brandon Lopez
: Sophomore

Nolan Schreiber
: Sophomore

Mary Antkowiak
: Freshman

Rosario Botello
: Sophomore

Annie Fildes
: Freshman