Oct. 1, 2007

The University of Texas-Pan American men's and women's cross country team competed in the Islander Splash Cross Country Meet where the women posted a fifth place showing and the men earned fourth place honors on Friday (Sept. 28).

"Considering the week that we had prior to the meet I was very satisfied and relieved," said assistant men's and women's cross country coach Huge Cervantes. "All week we had been faced with injuries, illness, and family problems. Overall, I think we could have done better but due to circumstances beyond my control, we still ran competitive and performed well."

Junior standout, Luis Nava (La, Joya, TX/La Joya H.S.) earned second-place laurels with a mark of 25:53 and his fourth top-ten finish of the season. Nava placed behind 2006 NCAA 10k outdoor National Champ Shadarak Sangok from Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

Nava has joined an elite group of UTPA runners as he currently ranks 10th overall in program history in the 8,000 meters after last week performance at the Texas A&M Invitational, where he collected a mark of 24:54.

San Juan native J.J. Hernandez (San Juan, TX/PSJA North H.S.) collected 24th place honors with a time of 27:46 while newcomer Roly Vela (Edinburg, TX/Edinburg North H.S.) placed 26th overall with a mark of 27:50.

Gilroy Martinez crossed the end line in 44th place with a time of 28:59 while teammate Jorge Rodriguez (Hidalgo, TX/Valley View H.S.) placed 55th overall with a mark of 29:49 and junior Gil Castillo (Brownsville, TX/Hanna H.S.) crossed the finish line in 58th place with a time of 29:57, respectively.

The Lady Broncs claimed fifth place overall as a team with Brownsville native Carolina Izaguire (Brownsville, TX/Hanna H.S.) leading the pack as she earned ninth place overall with a time of 17:57. Izaguire's mark of 17:57 at the Islander Splash put her fourth all-time in program history.

Sara Rodriguez (Pharr, TX/Valley View H.S.) crossed the finish line in 27th place with a mark of 19:07 while newcomer Diana Gallaso (Edinburg, TX/ Edinburg H.S.) came in 43rd place with a time of 19:49.

Junior Sonya Rivera (Brownsville, TX/Hanna H.S.) crossed the end line in 46th place with a mark of 20:02 while Megan Mcguire (Gafton, OH/Avon Lake H.S.) came in 52nd place with a time of 20:23.

Rose Escovedo (Edinburg, TX/Edinburg North H.S.) was 56th overall with a time of 20:30 while Shardae Bey (Houston, TX/Elsik H.S.) crossed the finish line in 70th place and Fellisia Flores came in 88th place overall, respectively.

The Islanders claimed the men's division while the Longhorns of University of Texas captured the women's division.

The Broncs and Lady Broncs will next travel to Fayetteville, AR to compete in the Chili Pepper Meet on Saturday (Oct. 13).

Men's Team Results
1. A&M-Corpus Christi
2. Rice
3. Stephen F. Austin
4. UTPA
5. Prairie View A&M
6. Sam Houston State
7. Tec de Monterrey
8. Houston
9. Texas A&M International
10. Central Arkansas

Women's Team Results
1. Texas
2. A&M-Corpus Christi
3. Stephen F. Austin
4. Houston
5. UTPA
6. Central Arkansas
7. Sam Houston State
8. Texas A&M Kingsville
9. St. Mary's University
10. Houston Baptist

UTPA Sports Information