Feb. 9, 2008

The University of Texas-Pan American men and women's track and field program had an exceptional showing at the Bayou Classic held at the Yeoman Field House on Saturday (Feb. 9).

Newcomer Rolando Vela finished fifth in the one-mile run posting a time of 4:28.26 while teammates Vidal Ruiz clocked in with a time of 4:53.61 finishing 16th and Gil Castillo coming in 19th with a time of 5:00.70.

In the 3000M race, senior J.J. Hernandez finished in fourth place with a time of 8:45.69.

Freshmen Angel Ramirez and Jorge Rodriguez did exceptionally well in the 5000M race with Ramirez finishing fourth with a time of 15:28.94 and Rodriguez finishing seventh with a time of 16:25.71.

UTPA All-American Will Littleton finished the night with a jump of 7-0.50 in the high jump placing second behind Marcus Harris from Shore AC.

The men's distance medley team placed first against Southern and Northwestern State with a time of 10:15.96 making it their personal best of the season.

On the women's side, junior Vanessa Brown placed fifth in the 200M dash with a time of 25.40 and 14th in the 60M dash with a time of 7.92.

Carolina Izaguirre placed fourth in the 3000M run with a time of 10:23.68. While in the 5000M run, junior Sara Rodriguez finished fourth in the 5000M run with a time of 19:17.81.

In the field events, junior Michelle Elizondo placed respectively in both her events. Elizondo finished seventh in the shot put with a throw of 41-8 and in the weight throw placed sixth with a throw of 47-10.

In the long jump, senior Liliana Cavasos placed third with a jump of 17-08.

The Bayou Classic is the last indoor meet for both men and women before heading off to the USA Indoor Championships in Boston, MA. The USA Indoor Championships are scheduled for Feb. 23 and will be an all-day event.

UTPA Sports Information