ALBUQUERQUE N.M. – The New Mexico State cross country teams opened its season with a 5,000m race at the Lobo Invitational at the UNM North Golf Course on Saturday. Both the men's and women's teams took third place at the meet.

"It was a good first meet for us to start. The rain was welcoming for us as we use these meets to prepare us for the conference meet in Seattle. I anticipate the conditions to be similar at that meet," assistant coach Joseph Rath said. "Both sides did a good job executing our plan. Like any first race, some runners surprised themselves while others had a more disappointing run. Overall, it was a good start and I'm excited to see where we go from here."

For the men's team, James McLain was the top finisher for the Aggies when he recorded a time of 16:21.5 to place 12^th. Anthony Molina (16:40.9) and Dylan Godfrey (16:47.4) followed closely behind, finishing 17^th and 18^th, respectively. Freshman Matt Goddard notched a time of 17:13.6 in his first collegiate race. Newcomers Pedro Espinoza (17:30.1) and Noah Ward (17:37.8) rounded out the New Mexico State squad.

Julia Yescas led the women's team when she took home 10^th, clocking in a time of 19:04.3. Corinne Hanson (19:15.2) and Elana Kresl (19:20.7) finished closely behind in 14^th and 15^th, respectively. Leah Salazar (19:26.6), Stephanie Quintero (19:37.7) and Nicole Gomez (19:42.0) rounded out the Aggies in the top-20 with the trio placing 18^th, 19, and 20^th respectively.

Cross Country is back in action when the teams hosts the Lori Fitzgerald Open at the NM State Track and Field Complex on Sept. 15.