Texas Cross Country wrapped up its 2026 season Friday at the NCAA South Central Regional Championships in College Station, and freshman Kai McCullough delivered the day’s biggest result for the Longhorns.
McCullough finished 23rd in the men’s 10K at the Dale Watts '71 Cross Country Course, posting a personal-best 30:29.2 and earning South Central Region honors by placing inside the top 25. Texas placed 11th as a team with 294 points.
Hudson Bennett was next for the Longhorn men, taking 27th in 30:42.3. Colby Huntress followed with a personal-best 31:49.5, while Zain Hamdani ran 32:22.1 and Joaquin De La Cruz finished in 32:33.1 to complete the lineup.
On the women’s side, Texas placed seventh with 270 points, and four of the Longhorns’ top five finishers turned in personal bests. Aishling Callanan led the way with a 36th-place finish in the 6K, crossing in 20:36.6.
Marissa Espinoza was close behind in 20:47.4, also a personal best, followed by Lily Fawcett at 21:02.7 and Melody Espinoza at 21:08.1, both personal-best efforts as well. Kaylin Rendon finished in 21:15.7, Lili Denton in 21:28.2 and Mia Perez in 22:08.7.
Arkansas won the women’s team title with 51 points, with SMU second at 109. Tulane captured the men’s championship with 44 points, and Arkansas was runner-up with 48.
Women’s 6K Results
- Aishling Callanan - 20:36.6 (PB)
- Marissa Espinoza - 20:47.4 (PB)
- Lily Fawcett - 21:02.7 (PB)
- Melody Espinoza - 21:08.1 (PB)
- Kaylin Rendon - 21:15.7
- Lili Denton - 21:28.2
- Mia Perez - 22:08.7
Men’s 10K Results
- Kai McCullough - 30.29.2 (PB)
- Hudson Bennett - 30:42.3
- Colby Huntress - 31:49.5 (PB)
- Zain Hamdani - 32:22.1
- Joaquin De La Cruz - 32:33.1
Full Team Results
Women: 1. Arkansas - 51; 2.
SMU - 109; 3. Stephen F.
Austin - 113; 4. Tulane - 115; 5.
Texas A&M - 155; 6. LSU - 197; 7.
Texas - 270; 8. TCU - 296; 9.
Houston - 304; 10. Texas A&M-CC - 313; 11.
Baylor - 332; 12. Louisiana - 345; 13.
Houston Christian - 365; 14. UT-Rio Grande Valley - 382; 15.
UT-Arlington - 409; 16. Texas State - 449; 17.
Incarnate Word - 480; 18. McNeese State - 484; 19.
Arkansas State - 488; 20. Rice - 493; 21.
Lamar - 498; 22. Central Arkansas - 534; 23.
UTSA - 563; 24. Nicholls State - 659; 25.
Tarleton State - 703
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