Time To GO!

The summer has been long and hot at times, but training has gone very well for both the men and women, and everyone has made it through relatively injury free. The men and women will be reporting next week and the preparation will begin for what is to be a monumental season. There will be some familiar faces and a host of new young talent that will compete in cross country and anchor the new track and field program. Below are the distance and mid-distance rosters for the 08-09 season:

Women

Belinda Castanon SR El Paso, Texas (Del Valle)
Jeniffer Cherono JR Iten, Kenya (Cowley County CC)
Sharen Diggs SR Hamlin, Texas (Hamlin)
Kristie Hartsfield JR Perryton, Texas (Perryton)
Becca Rapstine SO White Deer, Texas (White Deer)
Allie Reyna FR Ralls, Texas (Ralls)
Tara Shields FR Spearman, Texas (Spearman)


Men

Luis Flores SO Booker, Texas (Booker)
Thomas Harris SO Amarillo, Texas (Caprock)
Aaron Hibbitts SO Amarillo, Texas (Canyon Randall)
Erik Huerta SO Hereford, Texas (Hereford)
Jose Huerta JR Hereford, Texas (Hereford)
Jarret Kachel JR Hooker, Okla. (Garden City CC)
Matt Kopansky FR Toronto, ON (Birchmount Park CI)
Jacob Lopez FR Canyon, Texas (Canyon)
Albert Maina FR Eldoret, Kenya (Magereza Secondary)
Jesse Maldonado FR Hereford, Texas (Hereford)
Ben Montemayor SO Hart, Texas (Hart)
Jarred Murray FR Odessa, Texas (Permian)
Thomas Sang SO Lubbock, Texas (South Plains, CC)
Isai Saucedo SO Bovina, Texas (Bovina)
Andrew Striley FR Amarillo, Texas (Tascosa)
Jose Velazquez SR Hereford, Texas (Hereford)

The women were ranked fourth in the LSC preseason poll and the men were ranked eighth, but we realize that none of this matters. Speculation is merely that, and all that matters is how everyone finishes. We understand what it takes to build a successful program and we will approach everyday with the big picture in mind. We truly believe that this year will establish the foundation of what is to be an exciting time in West Texas A&M athletics. The time is now...

I will be updating this blog as frequently as possible during the season and hopefully bring to you some training and racing video, so you can really get to know what these student-athletes are all about.