Las Cruces, N.M. – The NM State cross country season kicked off bright and early on Saturday, Aug. 31 from the NMSU Golf Course as the Aggies played host for the 2024 Lori Fitzgerald Memorial Open. Competing first, the women's team took a third-place finish behind Adams State transfer Rachel O'Brien's tenth-place finish. On the men's side, Thomas Croshaw posted an eighth-place finish to pace the Crimson & White to a fourth-place result.
 
Juliet Cherubet of Texas Tech took first overall in the women's 5K, posting a time of 17:05.42, with Christina Nisoli (New Mexico) and Anastacia Chepkorir (Texas Tech) rounding out the top three.
 
Senior Rachel O'Brien competed in her first collegiate 5K, recording a final time of 18:13.09. Junior Jordan Torres crushed her previous best in the event, taking 14^th overall with a time of 18:19.56. Alongside Torres, x Aggies posted personal bests at the meet including Marlene Mosqueda (16^th, 18:27.17), Kayla O'Connell (17^th, 18:30.21), Trista Cordova (27^th, 18:57.12) and Mari Gallegos (28^th, 19:02.61).

Newcomer Khloi Bird competed in her first meet as a member of the Aggies, taking 19th overall with a time of 18:33.59. 
 
In the men's 5K, Solomon Kipchoge and Ernest Cheruiyot of Texas Tech recorded first and second-place finishes respectively, while Iker Sanchez Lopez of New Mexico claimed third place.
 
Sophomore Thomas Croshaw recorded the top finish for the Crimson & White, crossing the line eighth with a new personal best time of 14:42.24. Arizona transfer Andrew Gibby posted a new personal best, taking 15^th overall with a time of 14:58.18.
 
Freshman Leo Valenzuela made a strong NM State debut, taking 24^th overall with a time of 15:30.53.
 
Alongside Croshaw and Gibby, senior Christian Barreto (16:39.51) posted a new personal best on the day.
 
2024 Lori Fitzgerald Memorial Open

Women's Results

1. Texas Tech –  22
2. Arizona – 61
3. NM State – 76          
4. New Mexico – 98
5. NMJC– 143
6. UTEP – 175
7. Mesa CC – 181
8. El Paso CC – 206

 
Men's Results

1. New Mexico –  27
2. Texas Tech – 35
3. Arizona – 110
4. NM State – 116
5. El Paso CC – 119
6. UTEP – 151
7. NMJC – 167
8. Mesa CC – 175
9. Southwest (N.M.) – 279

 
Up Next
The Aggies will take their talents on the road for the first time in the 2024 season on Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Lobo Invitational. NM State will compete in the event for the first time since the 2019 season.
 
For complete coverage of NM State Cross Country, visit NMStateSports.com - the official home of Aggie athletics - and follow us on Twitter (@NMStateXCTF), Instagram (@NMStateXCTF), and like us on Facebook (NMStateTrackXC).