NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Skylah Barton is the Red River Athletic Conference Runner of the Week in women's cross country for Oct. 14-20.
        The RRAC announced Tuesday the award, the third of Barton's career and her second of the 2024 season.
        Barton, a senior from St. Gabriel, La., and a graduate of Mentorship Academy, ran 6,000 meters in a career-best 25 minutes, 14.37 seconds Friday to finish 59th out of 178 runners in the Watson Collegiate Classic at Clinton, Miss. Barton's 6K time is the Gold Nuggets' fastest since 2012.
        Next for XULA will be the RRAC Championships Nov. 2 in the San Antonio suburb of Windcrest, Texas. The women will run 6,000 meters, and the race will start at 8:30 a.m.

Photo of Skylah Barton by Yamlak Tsega