For Immediate Release: Wednesday, 17 September 2003
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

KEATING NAMED INDEPENDENT RUNNER OF THE WEEK

EDINBURG, TX-Junior distance runner Westly Keating (Pharr, TX/PSJA North HS/Texas) of The University of Texas Pan American's men's cross country team has picked up where he left off last season.

Keating, who was the 2002 Independent Cross Country Runner of the Year, was named Independent Runner of the Week for his performance at Saturday's New Mexico Invitational. He was chosen by a vote of the NCAA Division I Cross Country Coaches Association, which includes coaches from UC-Davis, Northern Colorado, Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne, Savannah State, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Utah Valley State as well as UTPA.

Keating led the Broncs, running 8000 meters and finishing ninth overall in 25:11. Texas-Pan American finished eighth overall.

"It's good to see we're starting the year off where we left off last year," said UTPA Head Coach Ricky Vaughn. "I'm glad to see Westly continue to bring honors to himself, the team, and the athletic department. Any time a student-athlete gets recognition like this, it's good for the school and the department as a whole. Westly is very committed, and he's going to continue to succeed and do the best job he is capable of doing."

Texas-Pan American will take this weekend off, and return to action at the Whataburger Invitational in San Antonio Friday, October 26th.

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