Nov. 14, 2009
WACO,TX--The University of Texas-Pan American men's and women's cross country teams placed 14th and 20th overall at the 2009 South Central Regional Championships in Waco, TX hosted by Baylor University on Saturday (Nov.14).
For the men, freshman Frank Garcia (Edcouch, TX/Edcouch-Elsa H.S.) led the Broncs with a time of 33:23.8 finishing in 55th place. Angel M. Ramirez (McAllen, TX/McAllen H.S.) came in 60th place, crossing the finish line with a time of 33:29.5. Rolando Vela (Edinburg, TX/Edinburg North H.S.) crossed the finish line in 85th place with a time of 34:14.7 while Omar Doria (Edinburg, TX/Edinburg North H.S.) came in 114th place with a mark of 35:35.2 and Andrew Lopez (McAllen, TX/Nikki Rowe H.S.) finished in 119th place with a time of 36:09.0.
Gilroy Martinez (McAllen, TX/Nikki Rowe H.S.) finished in 125th place with a mark of 36:58.8 while Wally Gonzalez (Edinburg, TX/Edinburg North H.S.) finished the competition in 130th place with a mark of 37:31.2.
The Lady Broncs were led by freshman Judith Chumba (Eldoret, Kenya/Limuru Girls H.S.) who crossed the finish line in 64th place with a time of 23:15.3, while Cinthia Adame (San Benito, TX/San Benito H.S.) finished in 96th place with a mark of 24:13.0 and Diana Galloso (Edinburg, TX/Edinburg H.S.) came in 109th place with a time of 24:42.7. Hildia Galloso (Edinburg, TX/Edinburg H.S.) came in 114th place with a time of 24:48.0.
Mekka Edwards-White (West Hills, CA /LA Valley College.) crossed the finish line in 131st place with a time of 26:43.3. Michelle Zamora (San Antonio, TX/Highlands H.S.) placed 132nd overall with a mark of 26:51.0 and Shayna Parker (Inglewood, CA/West LA College) came in 133th place with a time of 27:00.5.
"I felt Judith ran well: we didn't do as well as I would have liked, but we finished ahead of some teams, like UTA. Cinthia has been extremely consistent season, which is rare for true freshman," said head coach Dave Hartman.
"I was impressed by the way Frank handled himself at this championship event. Angel has been nursing a sore foot now for almost all season and came out and gave a solid performance. I feel as a team, we gained valuable experience from this meet which will hopefully carry on, enabling us to be more competitive as the years go by," Hartman added.
The Broncs and Lady Broncs concluded their 2009 cross country season and will begin preparing for the start of the 2009-10 track and field season.
