Tag: Patrick Torres

Saints women place 5th in UIW season opener

The OLLU women’s cross-country team opened its 2023 season at the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) XC Twilight on Friday evening. The Saints placed fifth out of five NCAA D1 schools and one D3 school. Baylor University came in first with 33 points, followed by Trinity University (D3) with 53, UIW with 87, Texas State University with 90, OLLU with 123 and University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley with 145 points.

Head Coach Patrick Torres commented, “Despite the team score, I saw a lot of good things happening on the individual level. I’m confident in this group.”

Sanai Robinson had the best finish for the Saints with a time of 15:10 in the 4k for 11th place out of 55 runners. Valeria Pena came in 24th with a time of 15:43. Viridiana Zuniga had a time of 16:03, followed by Leilani Leza at 16:12, Mia Curiel at 16:18 and Sierra Ramirez at 16:22

OLLU recognizes achievements of cross-country teams

OLLU recognized the achievements of the men’s and women’s cross-country teams from the 2022-2023 season during the virtual 11th Annual Big Blue Athletics Banquet.

The season was highlighted by the women capturing the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) Championship on Nov. 4. It was the team’s eighth championship. Nadia Sifuentes was the Individual Champion, while Deandra Ibarra won the Freshman of the Year Award for marking the best finish by a freshman.

The women went on to compete at the 2022 NAIA Cross-Country Championships on Nov. 18 in Tallahassee, Fla.

The women also excelled in academics after capturing the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Team Academic Award.

Both the men and women earned NAIA Scholar-Team recognition at the conclusion of the 2022-2023 academic year. The women finished with a 3.005 GPA, while the men marked a 3.027 GPA.

Head Coach Patrick Torres won RRAC Coach of the Year honors. Selected as the teams’ Top Saint award winners were Nadia Sifuentes and Jose Zarate.

Twelve Saints qualify for men’s NAIA Track and Field Championships

Twelve members of the OLLU men’s track and field team will be on their way to compete in the 71st Annual Men’s Outdoor Track and Field National Championships in Marion, Ind. The event is hosted by Indiana Wesleyan University and will be held at the Wildcat Stadium from Wednesday through Friday.

The group of men, consisting of Jalen Bell, Richard Davis, De’Jon Lewis, Jesus Riefkohl Delgado, Jimmie Salas, Jonathan Sanchez, Troy Stinson, Tr’Darius Taylor, Cerrone Thompson, Julian Verastegui, Rodney Webber and Spencer Williams, is the largest contingent from OLLU to qualify for nationals. Head Coach Patrick Torres commented, “I’m proud of the progress we’ve made, taking a significantly larger group to nationals this year. If things roll out our way, we can make some really good things happen on this trip because of the hard work the athletes and staff have put in this season.”