Hill College long distance runners look for prosperous season
Hill College’s cross country and track teams welcome 17 freshmen (nine men; and eight women) in hopes of continuing their dominance from last season as they begin their 2024-25 campaign Saturday at The University of Dallas Invitational.
Sophomore Josh Gill (New Zealand), who finished 27th at the NJCAA Cross Country Championships last season, will lead the men’s team in hopes of its third straight men’s North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference (NTJCAC) title in only the fourth year of the program’s existence. Last year, Hill College was runner-up at the NJCAA Region V Championships and 13th in the NJCAA Championships.
“Josh is steadily regaining his fitness after some injuries over the summer,” Hill College Head Cross Country and Track Coach Greg Lautenslager said. “He will sit out the first meet to make sure he is fully recovered as he builds into peak form for regionals and nationals."
Lautenslager also said sophomore Sam Falkstein (Allen) is overcoming a foot injury but hopes to compete on Saturday, along with returners Trenton Pentecost (Aubrey) and Obed Cruz (Hillsboro).
Garrison Grizzle (Buda) is expected to lead a strong freshman squad. The cast includes several high school regional and state qualifiers including Isaac Arredondo (Alvarado), Max Austin (Waco), Jesus Castillo (Itasca), Elmahyah Chacha (North Garland), Lorenzo Mosqueda (Keene), Samuel Pepe (Hillsboro), Sky Robb (Crawford) and Miguel Sanchez (Cleburne).
“They are young, but they are talented,” Lautenslager added, “and I am expecting some massive improvements throughout the year.”
Last year, Chacha boasted a 4:24 mile personal best in his first season of competing in any sport; and Austin was a Class A 800m bronze medalist at the 2022 TAPPS State Track and Field Championships.
Lautenslager said he is just as excited about his women’s team this season as well as its chance for winning its first-ever conference title.
Sophomore Laila Vazquez (Keene), who ran the second fastest 800m time in school history last spring, is the only returner from last year’s conference runner-up team.
Freshman Aimee Clarke is no stranger to championship teams, running for 2021 and 2022 UIL State Class 4A Cross Country Champion Celina. She also won the 3,200m at regionals last spring and finished seventh at the state meet.
Abby Olague (Hillsboro) qualified for the 2022 State Cross Country Meet, and Regional qualifiers included Avery McCoy (Wylie), Elaina McCulloch (Bruceville-Eddy), Angela Coronado (Rockport-Fulton), and Katie Garza (Calallen). The team is joined by Natalie Vazquez and Amara Munoz of Hillsboro.
“We have some very keen, hard-working young ladies,” Lautenslager said. “I am looking forward to watching their progress throughout the season.”
Saturday’s meet will be held on The University of Dallas campus in Irving, starting with the men’s 5,000m at 8:30 a.m. and the women’s 5,000m at 9:15 a.m.
2024 Hill College Women’s Cross Country and Track Roster
Aimee Clark, Freshman
Angela Coronado, Freshman
Katie Garza, Freshman
Avery McCoy, Freshman
Elaina McCulloch, Freshman
Amara Munoz, Freshman
Abby Olague, Freshman
Laila Vazquez, Freshman
Natalie Vazquez, Sophomore
Head Coach – Greg Lautenslager
2024 Hill College Men’s Cross Country and Track Roster
Isaac Arrendondo, Freshman
Max Austin, Freshman
Jesus Castillo, Freshman
Elmahyah ChaCha, Freshman
Obed Cruz, Freshman
Sam Falkstein, Sophomore
Josh Gill, Sophomore
Garrison Grizzle, Freshman
Trenton Pentecost, Sophomore
Samuel Pepe, Freshman
Skye Robb, Freshman
Miguel Sanchez, Freshman
Head Coach – Greg Lautenslager
For more information on the Hill College cross country and track programs, please visit https://hillcollegeathletics.com.