UTPA TRACK AND FIELD ADDS TWO FOR SPRING
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, 9 December 2003
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

EDINBURG, TX-The University of Texas-Pan American's track and field team has signed two student-athletes for the spring.

Distance runner Hector Gandara of Pratt Community College in Pratt, Kansas; Mission, Texas and Mission High School; and javelin thrower Rachel Reida of Cowley County Community College in Arkansas City, Kansas; Cheney, Kansas and Garden Plain High School will join Texas-Pan American this spring. Both will enter as juniors, with two years of eligibility.

Gandara is a six-time National Junior College All-American. He finished fifth in 2001 and fourth in 2002 at the NJCAA Cross Country Championships. Indoors, Gandara was sixth in both 2002 and 2003 at 5,000 meters at the NJCAA Championships. He finished third outdoors at 10,000 meters at the 2002 and 2003 NJCAA Championships.

Reidal finished fifth at the NJCAA Championships last year in the javelin. Her best throw is 134 feet.

"Hector will have an immediate impact for us in the distance area," said UTPA Head Coach Ricky Vaughn. "He is going to be a good addition to our team, and he will also help our men's cross country team be more competitive in our region. Rachel was fifth at junior college nationals last year, and her best throw is 134 feet. We're looking to Rachel to come in and help us."

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