Nov. 1, 2008

The University of Texas-Pan American men's cross country program took the Great West Conference Championships and Men's Coach of the Year this Saturday (Nov. 1) morning at the Lakeside Park in Orem, UT.

"I couldn't have ask for anything more. Beginning the season so rough and ending it with a championship is just a blessing in itself. I knew both teams were going to come into this race and do well," said head cross country coach Dennis Darling. "This is something the program needed."

Luis Nava (La Joya, TX / La Joya HS) recorded a second-place finish with a time of 25:57.0, in the 8K race, with Robert Najera (Mercedes, TX / South Texas for Health Professionals) finishing in sixth with a time of 26:15.6. Both Nava and Najera received First Team All-Conference honors.

J.J. Hernandez (San Juan, TX / PSJA North HS) placed eighth overall with a time of 26:40.0. Sophomore Angel M. Ramirez (McAllen, TX / McAllen HS) took home a ninth-place finish with a time of 26:43.4 with teammate Wally Gonzalez (Edinburg, TX / Edinburg North HS) right behind in 10th-place with a time of 26:46.5. Hernandez, Ramirez and Gonzalez all received Second Team All-Conference accolades.

Junior Gilroy Martinez (McAllen, TX / Nikki Rowe HS) recorded a 26th place finish with a time of 28:45.9. Vidal Ruiz (La Joya, TX / La Joya HS) finished in 37th recording a time of 30:26.4

Dennis Darling, head coach, also took home the Men's Coach of the Year award.

"The men were confident going into this race and they knew they were going to win. They've been doing well all season long and they brought home the first Great West Conference Championship title," said Darling.

For the Lady Broncs, Carolina Izaguirre (Brownsville, TX / Hanna HS) collected a third-place finish with a time of 23:18.9 in the 6K race and also received First Team All-Conference honors.

Sara Rodriguez (Pharr, TX / Valley View HS) placed 14th overall recording a time of 24:41.6 and received Second Team All-Conference accolades.

Sophomore Diana Galloso (Edinburg, TX / Edinburg HS) finished in 16th with a time of 24:44.5 with teammate Larissa de Leon (Mission, TX / Sharyland HS) placing 32nd with a time of 26:22.9 and Sasha Suarez (Mission, TX / PSJA North HS) taking home a 41st place finish with a time of 28:09.0

"The women did their job and did what they had to do. Caro put up a good fight and happy with their overall performance," added Darling.

The Great West Championships wraps-up the regular season for the men and women's cross country programs. Those that moved to the next level will compete in the NCAA Regional Championships on Nov. 15 in Waco, Texas.

UTPA Sports Information