Sept. 15, 2008

HOBBS, NM (September 13, 2008) - For the first time in Lubbock Christian University history, the women's cross country program won a meet as a team.  The Lady Chaparrals claimed first place in the New Mexico Junior College Bob Johnson Invitational Saturday morning.  The eight-team field ran the 5K event at Harry McAdams State Park.

All Lady Chap runners finished in the Top 25 and three finished in the Top 5.  Lydia Kosgei led the Lady Chaps with a time of 20:19.65, which was good enough for a second place finish.  Brittani Sigle (20:24.59) and Valerie Calderon (21:01.82) finished right behind Kosgei for third and fourth place finishes.  Melissa Zepeda was the only other Lady Chap to finish in the Top 10.  She ran a time of 21:17.56 for an eighth place finish.  The Lady Chaps also received great finishes from Kendra Glass (14th 22:42.05), Capri Chapa (22nd 24:10.61) and Heidi Smith (23rd 24:12.30).

LCU finished ahead of Dine College, Odessa College and University of Texas - Permian Basin in the team standings to claim the first team victory in program history.  Their prior best finish came at the Sul Ross State University Invitational in Alpine, Texas on September 8, 2007, when the Lady Chaps finished second.  The individual winner was Gladys Chumba of South Plains College, who posted a time of 19:56.12.

The Lady Chaps runners hit the course again on Friday at the Red Raider Invitational hosted by Texas Tech.