For Immediate Release: Thursday, April 3, 2003
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

KEATING SHINES, OTHERS DO WELL AT TEXAS RELAYS

EDINBURG, TX-The University of Texas-Pan American’s track and field team had a good day Thursday at the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays at Mike Myers Stadium Thursday.

Sophomore Westly Keating (Pharr, TX/PSJA North/Texas) finished first at 5,000 meters, while sophomore Rowena Hamlet (Mississauga, ON/Lorne Park SS) and junior Patty Villarreal (San Juan, TX/PSJA HS) did well in their respective races.

Hamlet finished 36^th in the 400 meter hurdles in 1:04.44, while Villarreal was 17^th at 10,000 meters in 41:37.10. A fourth UTPA competitor, sophomore Jeff Martzall (Fort Wayne, IN/Northrop HS), did not have a successful attempt in the pole vault, and did not record a mark.

Keating won the 5,000 meter run in 14:22.47, which broke the UTPA school record, and also qualified him for the NCAA Regionals at Nebraska May 30^th and 31^st.

“Westly ran a comfortable race, and he won easily,” said UTPA Head Coach Ricky Vaughn. “He didn’t go out and run real hard after running 10,000 meters last weekend, and his time was exceptional. He did exactly what he needed to do to win, he beat some good people, and there was no one really close to him.”

Vaughn said that Hamlet and Villarreal also acquitted themselves well. “Rowena didn’t make the finals, but her mark was a personal record,” said Vaughn. “Patty was running the 10,000 for the first time, and the conditions were real windy.”

Texas-Pan American will continue to compete at the Texas Relays Friday and Saturday. Sophomore Deneb DeLuna (Mission, TX/Sharyland HS) will compete in the shot put, sophomore Marlin Manley (Hampton, VA/Bethel HS) will participate in the high jump, and the UTPA distance medley teams will also compete.

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