Burgos, Kaulen Earn #HLXC Weekly Honors
9/15/2026 1:00:00 PM | Cross Country
Patrick Burgos and Erica Kaulen opened the 2026 season with standout performances at the RMU Colonial Invitational, earning Horizon League weekly honors for their efforts, the league announced Tuesday.
Kaulen swept the women's awards, being named the Under Armour #HLXC Women's Runner and Freshman of the Week, while Burgos was selected as the Under Armour #HLXC Men's Runner of the Week.
The recognition marks Kaulen's first weekly honor from the league. The freshman made her collegiate debut on Sept. 11, leading the Penguins with a sixth-place finish in the 6K with a time of 22:09.77. She was the top-finishing Horizon League freshman and helped the women's side to a fourth-place finish in the 11-team field.
The last time a Penguins women's runner swept both weekly awards simultaneously was Grace Rhoades in 2023. Previously, when the Penguins competed in the Mid-Continent Conference, now known as the Summit League, Kaulen's mother, Laura Thomas, was named Athlete of the Week twice, on Sept. 30, 1997, and Oct. 7, 1997.
Burgos earned his second Horizon League Runner of the Week recognition of his Penguins career. He opened his junior season by winning the RMU Colonial Invitational, placing first among 139 runners. He clocked an 8K time of 26:18.16 to lead the men's side to a runner-up finish in the 10-team field.
The Guins continue their season on Sept. 26, hosting the YSU Collegiate Invitational at the Gorby Family Cross Country Course. The women will open the meet with a 6K at 9 a.m., followed by the men's 8K at approximately 9:45 a.m.
