Women's Cross Country 10/1/2026 3:00:00 PM Chris Brannick

UCO Races To Fayetteville

Bronchos Competing In Arkansas' Chile Pepper Festival

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Central Oklahoma returns to the course Saturday for the Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival hosted by the University of Arkansas.

The major event, nearing its 40-year anniversary, includes races for all levels of competition Friday and Saturday. The Bronchos will compete in the women's collegiate section with the 5k race set for Saturday at 11 a.m.

Gabija Pukstas, Lily Melton, Lily Horvath, Chloe Ezell, Regan Jones, Hadlee Mann, Ariane Williams, Rilee Shea, Julia Trost, and Maya Winterburn are all entered to race this weekend.

Pukstas is set to make her season debut. The sophomore from Stillwater led the team during her freshman season but has not competed in the first two events this year.

Melton, also a sophomore, has led the Bronchos this fall. She has posted back-to-back Top 20 times in UCO's all-time 5k list. The Broken Arrow native ran an 18:36 at Rogers State and an 18:37 at Missouri Southern.

Horvath also found herself in the Top 20 5k times in program history after her last race. She finished the Southern Stampede at Missouri Southern in 18:57, entering the Top 20 at No. 19. Horvath improved on her 19:20 time in her first race of the season.

Ezell (19:03) and Jones (19:34) are also coming off strong finishes for the Bronchos.

Central Oklahoma will have one more race in the regular season in two weeks at Oklahoma State. The Bronchos will then turn their attention to the MIAA Women's Cross Country Championships later this month and the NCAA Division II Central Region Championships in November.

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Players Mentioned

Gabija Pukstas: Sophomore

Ariane Williams: Senior

Maya Winterburn: Sophomore

Lily Melton: Sophomore

Chloe Ezell: Junior

Lily Horvath: Junior

Regan Jones: Sophomore

Hadlee Mann: Freshman

Rilee Shea: Freshman

Julia Trost: Freshman

Players Mentioned

Gabija Pukstas
: Sophomore

Ariane Williams
: Senior

Maya Winterburn
: Sophomore

Lily Melton
: Sophomore

Chloe Ezell
: Junior

Lily Horvath
: Junior

Regan Jones
: Sophomore

Hadlee Mann
: Freshman

Rilee Shea
: Freshman

Julia Trost
: Freshman