Valenzuela, Chavez Record Programs Two Fastest 6k Times at Blazing Tiger Classic
October 25, 2025
ASHLAND, Neb. The Oklahoma Panhandle State women's cross country team raced Saturday at the NAIA Blazing Tiger Classic in its final tune-up before the SAC Championships, scheduled for Nov. 8.
In a meet that attracted four ranked women's cross country squads, Carolina Valenzuela broke her own 6k school record, and Shania Chavez was not far behind for the second fastest time in program history.
Valenzuela completed the course in 23:20.39, breaking her mark set just weeks ago by over 40 seconds. Chavez, who is the program's 4k and three-mile record holder, finished strong at 23:49.
The Aggies' top duo placed 49th and 73rd individually out of 275 runners.
Lillyan Gerow also competed for OPSU, hitting a personal record with her time of 25:03.
Coach Cyrus Hall's Thoughts &
"(The women) are really starting to believe in themselves. Today they did everything we've been telling them they can do, and then some," Hall said.
"Lillyan had nice big PR today, she went from 26 (minutes) flat to 25:03, we think there's a little bit more in her tank. & I wouldn't be surprised if she ran really well at conference in a couple weeks."
"I'm really proud of the ladies, I thought they were awesome today. We are probably right where want to be going into conference in two weeks. They're going to be in the mix, all three of them, I think, to get into the all-conference, top 15. And Carolina and Shania definitely have a chance to snag one of those national qualifier spots. We've just got to keep it going, get sharp over the next two weeks, and we'll go to John Brown and see what we can do."
In a meet that attracted four ranked women's cross country squads, Carolina Valenzuela broke her own 6k school record, and Shania Chavez was not far behind for the second fastest time in program history.
Valenzuela completed the course in 23:20.39, breaking her mark set just weeks ago by over 40 seconds. Chavez, who is the program's 4k and three-mile record holder, finished strong at 23:49.
The Aggies' top duo placed 49th and 73rd individually out of 275 runners.
Lillyan Gerow also competed for OPSU, hitting a personal record with her time of 25:03.
Coach Cyrus Hall's Thoughts &
"(The women) are really starting to believe in themselves. Today they did everything we've been telling them they can do, and then some," Hall said.
"Lillyan had nice big PR today, she went from 26 (minutes) flat to 25:03, we think there's a little bit more in her tank. & I wouldn't be surprised if she ran really well at conference in a couple weeks."
"I'm really proud of the ladies, I thought they were awesome today. We are probably right where want to be going into conference in two weeks. They're going to be in the mix, all three of them, I think, to get into the all-conference, top 15. And Carolina and Shania definitely have a chance to snag one of those national qualifier spots. We've just got to keep it going, get sharp over the next two weeks, and we'll go to John Brown and see what we can do."
