2 UA teams sweep cross country titles

What’s more fun for the Arkansas Razorbacks than beating Texas?

Doing it twice.

The Razorbacks’ men’s and women’s cross country teams swept the team titles at the NCAA South Central Regional on Friday at College Station, Texas, with the Longhorns finishing second in both races.

All four teams from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville and Texas automatically advanced to the NCAA Championships on Nov. 18 in Louisville, Ky.

Arkansas’ No. 6-ranked women’s team won its seventh consecutive regional title and 22nd overall with 35 points. Texas was second with 93.

“To win in dominant fashion is a luxury we have this year,” Razorbacks women’s Coach Lance Harter said. “It was a situation where we were able to go out and control the race from the front, establish a position and relax.”

The Razorbacks had the top two individual finishers in the 6,000-meter race with senior Nikki Hiltz winning in 19:35.50 and sophomore Carina Viljoen taking second in 19:36.00.

“This win gives me a lot of confidence going into the NCAA Championships next weekend, and it’s especially sweet when you get to cross the line with a teammate and go 1-2,” Hiltz said. “Our team is definitely peaking at the perfect time and I am very excited to see what we can accomplish together next weekend.”

Arkansas’ No. 17 men’s team won its fifth consecutive regional title and 37th overall with 59 points. Texas scored 73.

“You never take any victory lightly and any time you qualify for nationals that’s a big deal,” Razorbacks Coach Chris Bucknam said. “I’m really proud of how our guys executed today.

“Our guys ran under control and had good self-awareness throughout the race, not stepping on the accelerator, which we hope will pay dividends next weekend in Louisville.”

Arkansas was led in the 10,000-meter race by seniors Jack Bruce (fifth in 30:04.80), Alex George (seventh in 30:12.40) and Austen Dalquist (eighth in 30:11.60).