Week 1: Cross Country Athletes of the Week

Men's Runner of the Week:

 Eric Casarez, Texas A&M

Texas A&M's Eric Casarez finished in second place, just .4 seconds behind the winner at the Cowboy Preview. Competing on the national championship course against nationally-ranked teams, Casarez helped his team to a third place finish with his time of 14:55.3 in the 5k race.

Women's Co-Runner of the Week:

 Taylor Ewert, Arkansas

Arkansas' Taylor Ewert Taylor Ewert posted a time of 10:38.6 over a 3,000m course to win the OSU Cowboy Preview, leading Arkansas to a team victory in her first race in 11 months. Ewert finished ahead of a pair of seniors in Texas A&M's Grace Plain (10:39.8) and Oklahoma State's Maddie Salek (10:42.2). Arkansas won team title with 41 points.

Women's Co-Runner of the Week:

 Niki Narayani, Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt's Niki Narayani won the Belmont Opener with a time of 18:00.88 Friday in Nashville. She was nearly seven seconds ahead of the second place finisher and help the Commodores win the team title in the 5k.

Men's Freshman of the Week:

 Will Pinson, Alabama

Alabama's Will Pinson led the Crimson Tide to the win at the Lion Opener, taking second in the 5k race. Pinson finished with a time of 15:10.09, pacing the Tide to 21 points.

Women's Freshman of the Week:

 Macy Schelp, Alabama

Alabama's Macy Schelp won the individual race at the Lion Opener with a time of 14:07.36. She was three seconds ahead of the field in her first cross country race for the Crimson Tide, pacing UA to the win in the 4k race.