Tarleton State Cross Country posts three top 15 performances at season-opening John McKenzie Invitational

• Final Results

FORT WORTH — Tarleton State Cross Country opened its 2025 campaign with three individuals placing in the top 15 of the John McKenzie Invitational on Friday morning.

In the first cross country event of the season, the four freshmen were the only Texans to run. Three of the four freshman placed in the top 15, with all placing in the top 30. The Purple and White did not qualify to score as a team, with only two men and two women racing.

“I am very proud of the effort that our freshman put in for their collegiate debut,” said distance coach Chris Zent. “It is a great experience to run, especially by themselves. We are looking forward to the full team to be back in action next week at the Gerald Richey Invitational.” 

Freshman Tyler Hedgepeth placed sixth overall on the men’s side in 15:42.19. His sixth place finish is the best by a Texan after competing in the last three John McKenzie’s Invitationals. Previously, current teammate Kellen Frickel finished ninth at the John McKenzie Invitational as a freshman in 2022.

Mez Barth posted a 14^th place finish in his collegiate debut as well, crossing in 16:04.55. Barth was a member of the chase pack with Hedgepeth for the majority of the race until the final stages.

On the women’s side, Victoria Guerrero used a huge close by sprinting past a TCU runner to claim 13^th overall. Guerrero was close behind the lead pack of Texas A&M Aggie runners, closing in 19:08.77. Kaylee Gray turned in a 29^th place finish crossing in 22:23.28.

Overall, Texas A&M’s Megan Roberts won the women’s race in 17:53.32. The Aggies also swept the top six for the team title claiming a perfect score of 15 points. On the men’s side, TCU’s Johnson Lagat won the individual crown in 14:59.20. Texas A&M also won the team title with 22 total points.

Next week, the full Texan squad will be in action. Tarleton State will get a preview of the WAC Cross Country Championship Course by running at the Gerald Richey Invitational, hosted by UT Arlington. Both the men and the women will race a 5K, with the women starting at 7:30 a.m. and the men to follow.