WICHITA FALLS, Texas – The Howard Payne University women’s and men’s cross country teams open their 2012 season at the Midwestern State Stroman Dental Stampede on Thursday finishing 6th and 7th overall.

The women had 157 points, good for 6th place as a team in the meet, with a total team time of 1:47:10.28 in the 4K race. Clarissa Zarate was HPU’s top finisher with a time of 19:35.31 in the 48th spot.

The men as a team landed in 7th overall with 212 points and a total time of 1:54:06.58 in the 5.6K race. Derek Wilson was HPU’s top finisher with a time of 22:25.55 in the 52nd spot.

The will run again this weekend in Abilene at the Hardin-Simmons University Invitational on September 1st.