AUSTIN, Texas – The Concordia Texas men's and women's cross country teams will open their season on Saturday when the program hosts the Concordia Invitational at Old Settlers Park.
 
The men's and women's program are returning seven and six runners respectively, led by a trio of sophomores in Rick Platas, Jacob Ismir, and Brianna Lopez.
 
Head Coach Megan Wagenaar, in the fourth year of her tenure, believes her team, who was unable to compete in the fall due to COVID-19 restrictions, is nonetheless coming into the spring well prepared.
 
"The team is very excited to be given the opportunity to compete again." Wagenaar said. "We trained hard during the fall, and we were able to get in some great time trials. The team is looking forward to being able to showcase all the work they have put in during the fall and winter."
 
The men's cross country team was picked to finish seventh in the American Southwest Conference preseason poll, receiving 58 votes.
 
Platas represented CTX on the ASC Runners to Watch list after a strong freshman campaign.
 
The Premont, Texas native is coming off a year in which he recorded three top-25 finishes, including the best recorded 8K time on the team with a 27:35.5 at the ASC Championships. It was the best time ran by a Tornado runner at the conference meet in program history and ranks third all-time in the school record book.
 
Meanwhile, Ismir, out of Fort Worth, Texas, was the fastest 5K runner for the men, finishing in a time of 17:13 at the Concordia Invitational last season.
 
On the women's side, CTX was voted sixth in the ASC preseason poll, receiving 80 votes.
 
Lopez was the team's top runner, earning three top-25 finishes on the year and ran a team-best 5K time with 21:12.64 and 6K time with 24:39.8. At the ASC Championships, she placed 13th overall and earned All-ASC Second Team honors.
 
Wagenaar believes that the difficulties surrounding this year have only hardened the resolve of the Tornados.
 
"Adversity just makes us stronger." Wagenaar said. "My team has shown that they can handle the pressure when things get tough. This will directly translate to the mental toughness necessary in order to be a successful cross country athlete."
 
The Tornados will compete in two meets prior to the conference championships, opening with a home meet and then traveling to Abilene, Texas on Feb. 6 for the Bill Libby Cross Country Invitational hosted by McMurry. The ASC Championships will take place on Feb. 20 in Round Rock, Texas.
 
Concordia Texas opens the season on Jan. 30 with their home meet at Old Settlers Park. The men will open the day, running their 8k race at 11 a.m., followed by the women's 6k race at 12 p.m.