Hill College track competes in first indoor meet of season Jan. 26 in Houston

Many of Hill College’s long-distance runners are gearing up for the track portion of the school year which begins this weekend at the Robert Platt Invitational in Houston.

Head Cross Country and Track Coach Greg Lautenslager said he’s looking forward to his student-athletes competing in only the college’s third season for track.

“The team built its base through a fall cross country season with the men’s team capturing its second straight NTJCAC conference title and finishing runner-up in the NJCAA Region 5 meet in Hobbs, New Mexico,” Lautenslager said.

Lautenslager also said Hill College will enter teams in the distance medley relay at this weekend’s meet in Houston. Additional entries in middle class events will take place at the Charlie Thomas Invitational Feb. 3 at Texas A&M University in College Station.

Freshman Josh Gill, (Nelson, New Zealand) who finished fourth at regionals and 27th at the NJCAA Cross Country Championships in Huntsville, Alabama, will anchor the men’s distance medley relay this weekend in Houston. The relay comprises legs of 1200m, 400m, 800m, and 1600m.

"[Josh] will be after a school record in the 3,000m at the Texas A&M meet,” Lautenslager said. “The biggest challenge will come from sophomore teammate Jose Alfonzo, who will lead-off the relay.”

Alfonzo (Venezuela) boasts personal bests of 3:55 in the 1,500m and 8:46 in the 3,000m.

Sophomore Adrian Moreno (Mesquite) will run the 800m leg, and freshman Faizone Ogendo (Kenya) will run the 400m.

Lautenslager said Hill College likely will also run a B team consisting of Lyndon Orr, Obed Cruz, Trenton Pentecost and Jesus Flores.

The women’s team will be led-off by Casslyn Jaecks, the Denton sophomore who was Hill’s top runner at the team’s first three cross country meets.

Laila Vasquez and Kimberly Mata will run the 1,200m and 1,600m legs. The 400m leg is yet to be determined.

“The relay will be a fun way to start the track season and blow out some rust from the Christmas break,” Lautenslager added. “We have been training through the cold weather and snow this past week and will continue to build for the warmer outdoor meets in the spring.”

For more information on the Hill College track teams, please visit https://hillcollegeathletics.com.