Men’s, women’s cross-country begin season

After a 2018 season filled with surprises, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Teams are ready to begin the 2019 season.

Last season, UTRGV caught everyone by surprise when several runners made their mark at conference, regional and national levels. As a team, the men were ranked third in the South-Central Region and the women were ranked fifth. 

“I think it was a pretty historic year for us,” said Darren Flowers, head coach of the Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Teams. “You know the men finishing second and then Abraham making the national championship. That was a big step in the right direction. Expectations are high.”

On the men’s side, the team finished second in the Western Athletic Conference and was ranked third in the South-Central Region. UTRGV and the WAC were represented at the NCAA Championships by sophomore Abraham Chirchir. 

In 2018, Chirchir finished third at the WAC Cross Country Championships and was named WAC Cross Country Freshman of the Year. He moved on to the NCAA South Central Regional Meet, where he finished second and competed at the NCAA Championship, making him the program’s first NCAA Championship qualifier since 2005. To round up the season, Chirchir was ranked the ninth freshman in the NCAA.

“I think it was really an eye-opening experience for him to go to the national meet last year and be at that level and see what those athletes are capable of,” Flowers said.  “His focus and determination are really great right now.” 

Aside from Chirchir, the team is relying on the experience of several other runners. The seniors include Ricardo Mendoza and Omer Almog, who finished second in the WAC Cross Country Championships. Junior Juan Manzano and sophomores Fernando Escobar and Tristan Pena will also represent the Vaqueros.

Newcomers include Max Carmona, Miguel Escamilla, Alex Munoz, Edward Ramos, Tony Sanchez and Juan Zamora.

The women lost key runner Jennifer Zapata to graduation, but the team already has sophomore Dorcas Koech stepping in. Last fall, Koech earned Track & Field WAC Freshman of the Year in the indoor and outdoor seasons. She also won the WAC Indoor Championships in the 5,00o-meter run and placed second in the outdoor 5,000 and 10,000 races.

“I think she is at the tip of the iceberg of what she is capable of and hopefully she stays injury free and stays consistent in training,” Flowers said. “We can see some special stuff from her this year.”

UTRGV will be relying on the experience of returning sophomores Kyra Keurentjes and Anahi Romo; senior Bryana Rios; redshirts senior Sierra Spinler and junior Alma Villanueva.

The cross country program welcomes senior Stephanie Sauceda; freshmen Lisa Sanchez and Tamara Woodley; redshirts junior Haley Allen, sophomore Lauryn Asiedu, freshmen Natalie Garza and Sharon Koima.

Both teams already received multiple recognitions at the first meet of the season. Chirchir and Koech won the 6k and 4k races respectively Aug. 30 at the UIW Opener held at Classic Elites Soccer Complex McAllister Park in San Antonio.

UTRGV was also recognized by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) in the preseason regional rankings. The men’s team ranked sixth and the women ranked eighth.

The men and women continue the season Sept. 13 at the Texas A&M Invitational in College Station.