May 7, 2008

The University of Texas-Pan American men and women's track and field program competed in Houston, Texas this past weekend (May 2-3) at the Houston Invitational hosted by the University of Houston.

"It was a pretty good meet considering there was a lot of wind. Everyone was happy with the way they performed and so was I," said head men and women's track and field coach Dennis Darling.

The men's track and field program did exceptionally well in the distance bringing home top finishes in their respective events.

Edinburg, Texas-native Wally Gonzalez took home a second-place finish in the 800M run with a time of 1:51.98 barely missing the qualifying mark for regionals. Gonzalez's time of 1:51.98 marks his personal best for the season. Finishing four spots behind Gonzalez in sixth, teammate Gilroy Martinez finished with a time of 1:53.60.

In the 1500M run, Rolando Vela placed fifth with a time of 4:02.65, teammate Luis Nava finished in eighth with a time of 4:06.31, and sophomore Gil Castillo finished in 13th with a time of 4:31.53.

Senior J.J. Hernandez took home another first-place finish in the 3000M Steeplechase with a time of 9:24.23.

Newcomer Angel Ramirez placed first in the 5000M run with a time of 15:46.40 and three spots behind in fourth, Jorge Rodriguez finished in 16:58.53.

In the field events, three-time All-American Will Littleton took home the first-place finish in the high jump with a leap of 7-00.50.

Oscar Barrera finished 10th in the hammer throw with a toss of 143-05 and a 19th in the discus with a throw of 124-02.

On the women's side, senior Vanessa Brown finished in sixth in the 400M dash with a time of 54.85, Ashlon Martin finished in 16th with a time of 57.90, and newcomer Tylene Green finished in 23rd with a time of 1:00.32. Carolina Izaguirre took home the second-place finish in the 1500M run with a time of 4:49.70 and teammate Diana Galloso placed fifth with a time of 5:22.95.

Brownsville, Texas-native Stephanie Perez finished sixth in the discus with a throw of 140-05 and fellow thrower Michelle Elizondo finished third in the hammer throw with a toss of 147-01. Senior Brenda Gonzalez finished in first-place in the javelin with a throw of 108-11 marking that her personal best for the season.

The track and field program will have one remaining meet before regionals - Last Chance Meet hosted by McNeese State University on May 10, 2008.

UTPA Sports Information