Aug. 30, 2005

Entering the 2005 cross country season, head men's and women's track and field/cross country coach Ricky Vaughn is looking for both the men's and women's programs to make great strides this campaign. On the men's side, there is a resurgence of veteran talent returning while the women return with five from last year's squad.

On the men's side, UTPA couldn't ask for the better one-two punch combination in returning veterans Hector Gandara (Mission, TX/Pratt Community College) and Westly Keating (Pharr, TX/PSJA North H.S.). The Bronc duo has a combined three National Independent Championships and a trio of Independent Runner of the Year awards. The two will also be running in their final cross country season. Americo Ortiz (Pharr, TX/PSJA H.S.), who recorded a top time of 32:11.94 in the 10,000-meters, also returns for the Broncs.

"I think that Westly has done a great job this summer already getting the guys to run before school ever started," Vaughn said. "He is doing a great job of getting them together along with getting them focused on the season. He knows that it's his last season as a collegiate runner and wants to go out on a high note. Even as an individual, we can expect some good things from him this year."

The 2005 cross country schedule for the men's team will feature some tougher competition compared to last season. A tougher schedule has been chosen to challenge the quality of the team, which begins the season at the Rice Invitational on September 17th.

"We are going to go to the Pre-National Meet in Terre Haute, IN, which is basically like the national meet. Anybody that thinks that they have a chance will be there, and it's probably tougher than the national meet. That is one on our schedule that we have to be ready for." Vaughn added.

Even with the absence of their top performer in 2004 in Bertha Castillo, the women's squad will be returning five runners from last year. Lizet Garcia (McAllen, TX/McAllen H.S.) and Karla Hernandez (Edinburg, TX/Edinburg H.S.) are two of those strong runners that posted good times during last season's cross country season, and the pair will add good leadership for the squad. Juniors Lorraine Garcia (Laredo, TX/J.W. Nixon H.S.) and Ashley Perez (Falfurrias, TX/Falfurrias H.S.) will also provide strong leadership and experience to the Lady Broncs' lineup.

"I don't think that it (losing Castillo) has a whole lot of effect. I think that there were some negative things happening there [last season], and now I feel that it may have helped our team. We have Karla, Lorraine, Lizet and Ashley coming back this year, and those are four solid, young women." Vaughn added.

Vaughn said that the women's squad is still young, and they may struggle a little to find that fifth and sixth runners, but overall it's still a strong and competitive team.

"I think that they will come together better as a group, and I think they will work together and be on the same page. Cross country is a team sport and not an individual, and you have to get everyone working together to strive for the same things," Vaughn stated.

The women's season will have a similar schedule to the men's squad, but the only difference is on October 15th when the Lady Broncs will be at the Chili Pepper Invitational in Fayetteville, AR, the same day that the men are at the Pre-Nationals Meet. Vaughn believes that this meet is still a very good, challenging meet, and that he thinks that fits the level of the women's team.

Both squads have been practicing early every morning at 6 a.m. in preparation for the up-coming season. Brian Cunningham, who is the assistant track and field/cross country coach, was hired after the departure of former coach Peter Hess.

"From what Brian has been telling me, practices have been going very well so far, and all of the runners have been making good progress. I expect to see a lot of good things this season from both teams," Vaughn concluded.

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