Despite not running a complete squad, the Sam Houston State cross country team turned in a good showing at the University of Houston Invitational in Willis last week. “I thought our men, for who we ran, did a good job. We didn’t run anyone in our top five, so essentially our first two finishers were really our number six and seven runners,” said Greg Hinze, head coach. “The women ran much, much better. We even held out two runners due to some minor injuries and Sarah Hershman had an off day.”The SHSU ladies’ team finished fourth in the overall standings just behind the University of Texas at Arlington and the men’s “B” team finished fifth. Texas A&M Corpus- Christi finished first in both the men’s and women’s competition and host U-of-H was second on both sides. Freshman runner Gaby Mendoza continued her climb into contention for an individual medal at the Southland Conference Championship by placing third in the women’s 5,000-meter race. Sophomore Sarah Hershman and freshman Lauren Smith finished 18th and 19th respectively. “Gaby Mendoza continues to improve to the point where I’m starting to think she might contend for the individual championship and Lauren Smith ran her best race since the first one of the year,” Hinze said.On the men’s side, senior Jose Umanzor finished 18th and sophomore Matt Buehner was 20th. Hinze was pleased with the team’s overall performance and said the meet helped solidify who will compete at the conference championship. Next up for the cross country team is the Southland Conference Championship meet on Nov. 4 in Natchitoches, La. Stephen F. Austin is the defending conference champions on the men’s side and is the team to beat going into the meet. “We are very respectful of SFA being the defending champions and know we will have our work cut out for us,” Hinze said. “But we are starting to hit on all cylinders and I feel very good about how we will race when the time comes.”The team’s next competition will come on Monday Nov. 1, in Natchitoches, LA at the Southland Conference Championships.