HAMPTON, Ga. – The Texas State cross country women's team finished fourth and the men placed fifth at the 2019 Sun Belt Conference Cross Country Championships Saturday morning at the Nash Farm Battlefield Park. The women totaled 112 points and the men tallied 92 points. True freshman Riley McGrath was named the Sun Belt Freshman and Newcomer of the year on the women's side, and both teams combined for four athletes that were placed on the All-Sun Belt Team.
 
The women averaged an 18:30.06 time in the race and had two All-Sun Belt selections. Junior Sydney Cole earned a spot on the All-Sun Belt Second Team with a time of 18:00.3 that placed 10th. Cole is now a two-time All-Sun Belt honoree after being placed on the third-team last year. McGrath was honored to the All-Sun Belt Third Team after timing out at 18:04.7 for a 12th place finish and becomes the second Bobcat in as many years to be named the league's Newcomer of the year after senior Leslie Romero did so a year ago. The other scoring athletes consist of senior Abby Steinhauser who finished in 21st place (18:22.5), junior Tina Sierra who crossed the finish line 32nd (18:57.8), and Romero who placed 37th (19:05.0). 
 
Two Bobcats earned All-Sun Belt accolades on the men's side and the team's average time was 25:25.42 with three athletes finishing in the top 20. Junior Justin Botello received All-Sun Belt Second Team accolades and junior Cade Michael was tabbed to the third-team. Botello led the men with an 8th place finish after clocking a 24:45.3 and Michael's 25:02.9 time was good for 13th place. Senior Johen Deleon placed 18th with a 25:29.3 time followed by sophomore Dereck Elikins (26th, 25:53.4) and junior Owen McGlothlin (27th, 25:56.2) to round out the Bobcat scorers.
 
Stay updated on everything Texas State cross country and track and field by following the team on  Twitter, and Instagram.