For Immediate Release: March 23, 2002
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Director of Athletic Media Relations, (956) 381-2240

RECORDS FALL AS BRONCS, LADY BRONCS THIRD AT TAMUK                       

KINGSVILLE, TX–The University of Texas-Pan American track and field team had another good outing at its second outdoor meet of the season Saturday at the Javelina Relays, hosted by Texas A&M-Kingsville.

UTPA finished third in both the men’s competition (80 points) and in the women’s competition (66 points). The host Javelinas finished first in both meets, winning the men’s meet with 206 points, and the women’s with 239, while Texas A&M-Corpus Christi was second in men’s (168) and women’s (231). Trailing the Broncs on the men’s side were Baker with 34 points, Tech de Saltillo with 15, Incarnate Word with 9 and Texas Lutheran with 8. Trailing the Lady Broncs were Texas Lutheran with 29, Southwestern with 7 and Baker with 5.

Sophomore Amy Moses (Edinburg, TX/Edinburg North HS) set a school record, throwing the hammer 154 feet, one inch and finishing first. Sophomore Valerie Partch (Smithville, MO/ Smithville HS) tied the school record with a high jump of 5-8 while placing second. Senior Lovie Mathis (Tucson, AZ/Sahuaro HS/Central Arizona College) won the triple jump with a leap of 36 feet, 3 ½ inches, and was second in the long jump at 16-11 1/2, while freshman Deneb DeLuna (Mission, TX/Sharyland HS) won the shot put at 41 feet, one inch and was fourth in the discus at 133-7. Senior Cynthia Moreno (Mission, TX/Mission HS) was second in the discus at 137-3, and freshman Rowena Hamlet (Mississauga, ON/Lorne Park Secondary) was fourth at 400 meters in 61.23 seconds.

For the Broncs, freshman Jeff Martzall (Fort Wayne, IN/Northrop HS) won the pole vault with a jump of 14 feet, six inches. Sophomore Rashaad Ben (Austin, TX/Sidney Lanier HS) tied his school record while winning the 110 meter hurdles in 14.30 seconds, and was third in the 400 meter hurdles at 58.50. Other Broncs who performed well included sophomore Hugo Cervantes (Mercedes, TX/Weslaco HS/Texas A&M-Corpus Christi), who was fourth at 5000 meters in 15:36.7, junior Israel Arroyo (Houston, TX/Memorial HS), who was fifth in the same race in 15:50.3, sophomore J.C. Crosby (Pharr,TX/PSJA HS), who was third in the discus at 148-0 and fourth in the shot put in 48-6, freshman Marlin Manley (Hampton, VA/Bethel HS), third in the high jump at 6-6, sophomore Isaac Ybarra (Edinburg, TX/Sharyland HS), second in the hammer at 154-1 and fifth in the shot put at 47-8, junior Robert Lopez (Mission, TX/Mission HS/Texas-El Paso), first in the hammer at 162-3, and freshman Matt Clinton (Raymondville, TX/Raymondville HS), third in the 110 hurdles in 14.87 seconds, and sixth in the 400 meter hurdles in 58.50.

“We had a good, strong showing,” said UTPA Head Coach Ricky Vaughn. “Robert Lopez and Isaac Ybarra both had personal records in the hammer, Hugo Cervantes and Israel Arroyo both had PRs at 5000 meters, and J.C. Crosby had a PR in the discus and a season best in the shot put. I was really pleased with our performances, especially Hugo and Israel, who ran well despite the fact that it was pretty windy out there. Rashaad tied the school record, and Matt did well in the hurdles. Valerie Partch and Amy Moses had school records, and any time you go out and set a school record, you’re on the right track. Lovie had her first collegiate win since she came here, and she had a really good jump into a stiff head wind. It looks like we’re continuing to improve.”

UTPA will host their only home meet of the season Friday at the UTPA Track and Field Complex. 

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