DENVER - UT Arlington's Virgilio Martinez and UTSA's Alyssa Diaz have been named the Western Athletic Conference men's and women's Cross Country Athletes of the Week, respectively, for Sept. 3-9.
Martinez, a freshman from Arlington, Texas (Arlington HS), placed first individually at the UTA Season Opener in Arlington this past Saturday. Martinez ran to the top spot in the Mustangs season opening 5K race in his first collegiate contest, posting a time of 14:55.8. Martinez outpaced the second-place finisher by nearly nine seconds, leading UTA to a perfect score of 15 to win its lone home meet of the season.
Diaz, a junior from Hereford, Texas (Hereford HS), led a UTSA contingent that finished first through seventh at the TLU Invitational, notching her first career victory. Diaz circled the 5K course in a time of 18:41.24, as the Roadrunners successfully defended their team championship with a perfect score of 15.
Other Men's Nominees: Jonah Ruybalid, New Mexico State; Mike Medrano, UTSA.
Other Women's Nominees: Jenna Padilla, New Mexico State; Hannah Nilsson, UTA