Greenville, S.C. – The King University Cross Country team starts the 2026 season with a big splash, with
Mario Ruda Puertas winning the Bruins XC Night Classic in a time of 19:22.70.
Puertas started the first kilometer in 14
th place in the lead pack. He moved up the next two kilometers into first place at 4k and would never look back, splitting 3:10 per kilometer for the next two kilometers.
Spencer Utsey and
Cole Johnson both come in the top 25 with sub-21-minute times. Utsey came in 17
th place with a time of 20:38.50, and Johnson came in 22
nd place with a time of 20:52.30.
Evan Deichert and
Alberto Zarza Mendoza rounded out the top five for King.
On the Women's side,
Kailee-Ann Conner led the women with a time of 17:22.00, placing 42
nd.
Kaelena Ahrens came in the number two spot for King with a time of 18:22.00, finishing in 64
th place. Ermay Vazquez-Adame finished right behind Ahrens in 18:32.70, placing 69
th.
Ginger Rodda and
Emma Bendall rounded out the top five for King.
Up Next: King will be heading to Lindsey Wilson College for a two-day competition on Saturday, September 5
th, starting at 7:00 am.
