DENTON, Texas (SMU) – SMU Cross Country won the Ken Garland Invitational on Saturday morning with freshman Maddie Hulcy recording a second-place finish.

The Mustangs edged out a two-point victory over second-place UTA behind four Mustangs finishing in the top eight. Racing the minimum, the Mustangs needed strong performances from all five competitors. SMU also bested fellow DFW programs, North Texas and TCU, among the six-team field.  Maddie Hulcy had a stellar second collegiate race and finished as runner up with a time of 18:55.96.

Finishing consecutively in sixth, seventh and eighth were Tess Misgen (19:14.6), Charlotte Tara Murphy (19:29.1) and Olivia Lackner (19:32.13). Lackner improved on her 15^th place at the 2018 Ken Garland while Murphy recorded her second straight top ten in Denton. Rounding out the Mustangs' score of 53, Eve Hoeltgen finished in 30^th with a time of 22:04 and secured the Mustangs the critical score they needed to win the meet.

 
"I'm very pleased with the team's performance today," said head coach 'A Havahla Haynes. "The women showed up with intention and put in a true team effort. It was hot out there today. Regardless, the women committed to the race moving from 4K to 5k and are showing that we will get better with distance and time. It was a fun day and excited to come out with a win!"

 
The win gives the Mustangs their first win of 2019 and back-to-back titles at the Ken Garland Invite.

 
Next on the slate, the Mustangs travel to College Station for the A&M Invitational on September 13 at the Dale Watts Cross Country Course.