Aug. 28, 2007

The University of Texas-Pan American women's cross country team enters the 2007 campaign with a new attitude and a fresh start to a new season. With the loss of six graduating seniors from last year, the Lady Broncs will rely on communication to carry the team to a successful season.

The new year begins with one veteran senior and four experienced juniors that will make the face of the Lady Broncs. Expectations will be high for the Lady Broncs as assitant men's and women's cross country coach Huge Cervantes is hoping for his squad to step up to every challenge they face.

"This upcoming season I'm expecting for a bunch of our upper classmen like Meagan, Rose, and Sara to really step up and take the leadership role," said Cervantes. "I expect them this year to place top-10 in regional's and I'm looking forward for some of our new freshman like Diana Galloso who will be coming in after a strong high school season and she will be able to help us out immediately."

The Lady Broncs lone senior, Sara Rodriguez (Pharr, TX/ Valley View H.S.) will be joined by junior teammates Megan McGuire (Grafton, OH/Avon Lake H.S.), Shardae Bey (Houston, TX, Elsik H.S.), Sonya Rivera (Brownsville, TX/ Hanna H.S.) Rose Escovedo (Edinburg, TX/ Edinburg North H.S), and sophomore Carolina Izaguirre (Brownsville, TX/ Hanna H.S.). The pack of six will rely on their experience to led squad to a strong season.

Lady Bronc senior, Rodriguez earned three top-10 finishes during the outdoor track and field season. Best finish came at the Border Olympics where she place third overall with a time of 5:20.44 in the 1,500-meter race.

"Sara is a consistent runner. She will go to the meets and be consistent on a daily basis and that I think is her strongest strength," added Cervantes.

Joining Rodriguez in the Lady Bronc pack is McGuire and Escovedo. McGuire returns to the Lady Broncs after one season after being deployed to the U.S. Army where she was stationed in Iraq. She will be the main force on the Lady Broncs squad that will look to led the team to a winning season.

"There's so much you can say about Megan, she's been to Iraq, she's a fighter, and she's very determined. I know she's going to come in and really help us out and lead this team and take an initiative role," Cervantes said.

Escovedo recorded her best finish of the outdoor track and field season at the Border Olympics where she posted a time of 5:06.55 in the 1,500-meter race en route to earning sixth-place honors.

"I converted Rose from a 1,500-meter runner to a 5K runner and she really excelled at that. Her speed really helped her out in the long distance. She's able to maintain a nice pace where she is comfortable," Cervantes added.

Rodriguez, McGuire, and Escovedo will be complemented by Edinburg native Diana Galloso (Edinburg, TX/ Edinburg H.S.) who looks to make an immediate impact in her first season in a Lady Bronc uniform.

"Diana was an outstanding runner last year, and she was one of the valleys best runners. I'm really looking forward for her to come in be one of our top five and really help out the team with her abilities and talent," Cervantes concluded.

In order for the Lady Broncs to have a successful season they must communicate, work together, and must all share one goal - THE GOAL OF WINNING.

UTPA Sports Information