For Immediate Release: Thursday, October 17, 2002
Contact: Adam Pitterman, UTPA Assistant Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

HAT TRICK: KEATING HONORED FOR THIRD TIME

EDINBURG, TX-A cross country runner from The University of Texas-Pan American has been honored for the third time this season.

Sophomore Westly Keating (Pharr, TX/PSJA North HS/Texas) has been named the NCAA Division I Independent Male Runner of the Week. Keating was chosen in a vote of the coaches.

Keating finished fourth of 172 runners as The University of Texas-Pan American men's cross country team finished seventh and the women were 16th at the Texas A&M Invitational Saturday. Keating completed the 5.2-mile course in 26 minutes, 35 seconds.

Keating has been honored as Independent Runner of the Week after each of the three races in which he has competed this season. He was named following the Southwest Texas State Invitational September 14th, and again after the Whataburger Texas-San Antonio Invitational September 27th.

"Westly ran an excellent race, which we expected him to do," said UTPA Head Coach Ricky Vaughn. "We expect him to be in contention in the region. It's a nice honor for Westly to be recognized by the independent coaches."

UTPA's will return to action at Texas A&M October 12th.

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