For Immediate Release:  August 31, 2000
Contact:  Luis Nunez, UT Pan American Asst. SID

UT Pan American Cross Country Teams Look to Start on the Right Foot

EDINBURG – The University of Texas-Pan American men’s and women’s cross country teams will be traveling this Friday to Corpus Christi to participate in the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islander Opening Splash Invitational.

The meet is being held at West Guth Park in Corpus Christi.  The women’s race will be two miles and will start at 6 p.m.  The men’s race will follow at 6:20 p.m. and will four miles in length.  Teams competing will be UTPA, TAMUCC, Southwestern University, Trinity, Incarnate Word and Texas Lutheran.

First year Head Coach Dan Laufer faces a challenge with his new team.  The men’s squad features three returning runners from last year while the women’s features only one.  The Broncs and Lady Broncs, however, have a promising core of new players.

Phillip Wilhemson, a sophomore from Bastad, Sweden, will be unable to run at this weekend’s meet because of an injury.  But he will be depended on heavily this season for the Broncs.  Rey Reyes, a sophomore from Elsa, Texas, and Martin Longoria, a sophomore from Edcouch, Texas, will also be joining the squad.  Veterans from last year’s squad include Israel Arroyo, Danny Salazar, and Steve Zarate.

The sole returnee for the Lady Broncs will be senior Perla Rios from LaPorte, Texas.  Joining her will be first year runners Ester Alaniz from San Juan, Texas, Angie Garza from Edcouch, Texas, April Hipolito from Buda, Texas, and Millie Martinez from Edinburg.   The new cross-country class will be depending on the guidance of the veteran Broncs to have a successful season.

“We’re excited about the first meet of the season,” said Laufer.  “Although it’s early in the season, I’m excited to see where our athletes are at.  I think that this will be a good developmental meet for the team.”

Next up for the Broncs will be the Texas Invitational in Austin, Texas, on September 16.