Oct. 27, 2007

The University of Texas-Pan American men's and women's cross country team placed second overall out of four teams at the 2007 Independent Cross Country Championship at the Monte Cristo Golf Course on Saturday, (Oct.27).

"I think the men and women did pretty well," said head men's and women's cross country coach Dennis Darling. "Utah gave us some tough competition but we fought all the way. Overall I think we had some great performance and I was very pleased."

The Broncs and Lady Broncs started the 2007 Independent Championships early on Saturday morning along side Utah Valley State, Chicago State, Houston Baptist and New Jersey Institute Technology.

Once again junior Luis Nava (La Joya, TX/La Joya H.S.) led the Broncs with a first place finish of 24:19.69 which put him third All-Time in the 8,000-meters behind Westly Keating who holds the record.

"Luis did an outstanding job and hopefully he will continue to run well and make it all the way to Nationals," said Darling.

San Juan native, J.J. Hernandez (San Juan, TX/PSJA North H.S.) imprinted his name in UTPA records books as he collected a time of 24:54.60 finishing third overall, which put him 10th All-Time in the 8,000 meters.

Gilroy Martinez Jr. (McAllen, TX/Nikki Rowe H.S.) crossed the end line in 10th place with a mark of 25:55.07 while newcomer Angel M. Ramirez (McAllen, TX/McAllen H.S.) returned back to the lineup recording a time of 26:00.69 collecting 12th place laurels.

Osvaldo Gonzalez crossed the finish line in 13th place with a time of 26:01.76 while teammate Leo Adame (La Joya, TX/La Joya H.S.) collected 16th place with a mark of 26:21.61 and Jorge Rodriguez (Hidalgo, TX/Valley View H.S.) came in 18th place with a time of 27:34.38.

Vidal Ruiz Jr.(La Joya, TX/La Joya H.S.) finished in 19th place with a time of 27:51.86 and Gil Castillo (Brownsville, TX/Hanna H.S) came in 22nd with a mark of 28:01.34.

The Broncs finished with a team time of 2:07:11.81 and a average time of 25:26.37 behind UVSU'S 2:07:18.76 team time and 25:27.76 average time.

UTPA had a successful 6,000-meters race with three Lady Broncs breaking UTPA history. Sophomore Carolina Izaguirre (Brownsville, TX/Hanna H.S.) recorded a third place finish with a time of 22:02.39. The valley native's time put her second All-Time in UTPA history in the 6,000 meters behind Bertha Castillo.

Newcomer Diana Gallaso (Edinburg, TX/Edinburg H.S.) crossed the end line in seventh place with a time of 23:04.60 which put her fourth All-Time in the 6,000-meters.

Sara Rodriguez (Pharr, TX/Valley View H.S.) will now find her name written in UTPA cross country history as she is ranked fifth All-Time after recording a mark of 23:09.27 collecting eight place laurels.

Shardae Bey (Houston, TX/Elsik H.S.) came in 11th place with a time of 23:39.05 placing her ninth All-Time while Rose Escovedo (Edinburg, TX/Edinburg North H.S.) crossed the finish line in 15th place with a time of 24:27.72.

Sonya Rivera (Brownsville, TX/Hanna H.S.) recorded a time of 24:55.62 in 17th place and Meagan McGuire (Gafton, OH/Avon Lake H.S) crossed the end line in 18th place with a time of 25:39.19

The Lady Broncs collected a team time of 1:56:23.03 and a average time of 23:16.61 behind UVSU'S team time of 1:50:34:55 and 22:00.01 average time.

The Broncs and Lady Broncs will now set their sights on the NCAA South Central Regional Championships hosted by Arkansas State University in Fayetteville, AR on Saturday, (Nov. 11).

Men 8K Run CC
1. UVSU
Total Time: 2:07:18.76
Average: 25:27.76

2. UTPA
Total Time: 2:07:11.81
Average: 25:26.37

3. HBU
Total Time: 2:20:11.46
Average: 28:02.30

4. NJIT
Total Time: 2:23:08.77
Average: 28:37.76

5. CSU
Total Time: 2:44:00.58
Average: 32:48.12

Women 6K Run CC
1. UVSUM
Total Time: 1:50:34.55
Average: 22:00.01

2. UTPA
Total Time: 1:56:23.03
Average: 23:16.61

3. HBU
Total Time: 2:08:14.40
Average: 25:00.00

4. NJIT
Total Time: 2:11:47.58
Average: 26:21.52

5. CSU
Total Time: 2:36:08.25
Average: 31:13.65

UTPA Sports Information