Nov. 14, 2008

The University of Texas-Pan American men and women's cross country programs set their sights on regionals as they travel to Waco, Texas to compete in the NCAA Regional Championships hosted by Baylor University this Saturday, Nov. 15.

"Everyone is very focused for this race, ready to go and are confident about it," said assistant cross country coach Hugo Cervantes. "Nava was very close last year and being a senior this year, along with J.J., they would really like to succeed and make it to nationals. Both Nava and J.J. are looking forward to this race since it is their senior year."

The men's cross country program had a spectacular showing at the Great West Championships as they came home as the 2008 Great West Champions on Nov. 1. The team consisted of all Rio Grande Valley natives as the men's cross country program had Luis Nava (La Joya, TX / La Joya HS) and J.J. Hernandez (San Juan, TX / PSJA North HS) leading the pack.

Nava took home a second-place finish and First Team All-Conference honors while Hernandez placed eighth overall with Second Team All-Conference. Newcomer Robert Najera (Mercedes, TX / South Texas for Health Professionals) finished sixth also receiving First Team All-Conference. Angel M. Ramirez (McAllen, TX / McAllen HS) and Wally Gonzalez (Edinburg, TX / Edinburg North HS) placed ninth and 10th place respectively joining Hernandez with Second Team All-Conference honors.

Junior Gilroy Martinez (McAllen, TX / Nikki Rowe HS) and Vidal Ruiz (La Joya, TX / La Joya HS) will also join the men's team at the NCAA Regionals in Waco.

For the women's team, Carolina Izaguirre collected a third place finish with First Team All-Conference honors. Senior Sara Rodriguez finished 14th with Second Team All-Conference honors.

Diana Galloso, Larissa de Leon and Daniela Estevane will join Izaguirre and Rodriguez in Waco for regionals.

The 2008 South Central Regional meet will take place at the Cottonwood Creek Golf Course with the women competing in a 6,000-meter race at 10:00 a.m. and the men competing in a 10,000-meter race scheduled for 10:45 a.m.

UTPA Sports Information