EDINBURG – Austin native April Hipolito signed a national letter of intent to run for the University of Texas-Pan American cross country and track and field teams for the 2000-01 season, it was announced on Thursday.

Hipolito joins the Lady Broncs after a strong high school career at Hays High School in Buda, Texas.  Hipolito was a four-year member of both the cross country and track teams at HHS and was the team captain of the cross country team for her last three years.  She finished in the top 30 in the 4A State Meet her last two years at HHS, taking 23rd place as a senior.  She was the district runner-up in 1997 and 1998 and was ninth in each of the last two years at the regional cross country meet.  In 1999 she was the recipient of the Cross Country Leadership Award.

In track and field Hipolito was a regional qualifier in the 1600 and 3200 meter races in each of the last two years.  She finished third in the region in the 1600 meter as a senior.  She has a personal best of 5:20 in the 1600 meter and 11:48 in the 3200 meter.

“April will be a reliable contributor to the cross country and track and field programs,” said Head Coach Dana Colligan Gutierrez.  “She’s an outstanding student-athlete who will contribute a lot to our teams on the track, in the classroom and throughout the campus.”

Hipolito joins previous track and field signees Rashaad Ben and Valerie Summa who have already joined the Broncs and Lady Broncs for the 2000-01 season.