Greenville, S.C. – The King University cross country team started 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 14th 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 came in the top 25 with sub-21-minute times. Utsey came in 17th place with a time of 20:38.50, and Johnson came in 22nd 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 42nd.
Kaelena Ahrens came in the number two spot for King with a time of 18:22.00, finishing in 64th place. Ermay Vazquez-Adame finished right behind Ahrens in 18:32.70, placing 69th. Ginger Rodda and Emma Bendall rounded out the scoring for the women.
King will be heading to Lindsey Wilson College for a two-day competition on Saturday, Sept. 5, starting at 7 a.m.
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King Tornado Athletics – King University
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