Broncs Finish Second, Lady Broncs Claim Fourth at Rice/Texas State Invitational :: Courtesy

Sept. 8, 2007

The University of Texas-Pan American men's and women's cross country teams finished strong placing second and fourth behind University of Texas at the Rice/Texas State Cross Country Invitational hosted by Texas State University on Saturday (Sept. 8).

"I think both the men and women did outstanding," said head men's and women's cross country coach Dennis Darling. "Luis, J.J. and Angel had a great meet and I think that the team is really coming together and are confident.

The Broncs notched three top-10 finishes in the men's five mile race held at the Gary Job Corps in San Marcos, TX.

Junior Luis Nava (La, Joya, TX/La Joya H.S.) led the way for the Broncs as he finished fourth overall as he recorded a time of 26.21.11 in 8,000-meter race.

Newcomer Angel M. Ramirez (McAllen,TX/McAllen H.S.) recorded his second top-10 finish of the fall season as he crossed the finish line in fifth place with a time of 26.45.37. Fellow junior J.J. Hernandez (San Juan, TX/PSJA North H.S.) finished seventh overall with a time of 26.05.62 while Roly Vela (Edinburg, TX/Edinburg North H.S.) and Jorge Rodriguez crossed the end line in 14th and 34th, respectively.

Gil Castillo (Brownsville, TX/Hanna H.S.), Vidal Ruiz Jr. (La Joya, TX/ La Joya H.S.) and Leo Adame rounded off the men's squad placing 43rd and 49th overall.

The Lady Broncs placed fourth overall in the 11 team event. UTPA was paced by Carolina Izaguirre (Brownsville, TX/Hanna H.S.), who crossed the end line 11th overall out of 92 runners with a time of 19.03.27.

Junior Shardae Bey (Houston, TX/Elsik H.S.) was 16th overall with a time of 19.38.86 while fellow juniors Rose Escovedo (Edinburg, TX/Edinburg North H.S.) and Diana Galloso came in 18th and 19th, respectively.

Fellisia Flores and Megan Mcguire (Gafton, OH/Avon Lake H.S.) came in 27th with a time of 20.22.00 and 31st with a mark of 20.32.94.

"I'm very proud of both teams. Overall I think as a group they all did pretty well and I think we have a very good chance of winning the National Independent Championship," said Darling"

University of Texas dominated the invitational as both the men's and women's teams finished in first place in their divisions.

The Broncs and Lady Broncs will next travel to College Station, TX to compete in the Texas A&M Invitational hosted by Texas A&M University on Saturday (Sept. 22).

UTPA Sports Information