Women’s XC Places Fourth and Men are Sixth, Gutierrez Earns First Team All-WAC Honors - New Mexico State Athletics Official Web Site

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Women’s XC Places Fourth and Men are Sixth, Gutierrez Earns First Team All-WAC Honors

Courtesy: New Mexico State University

Release: 11/01/2008

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Courtesy: Anel Monge

	Men's Results

	Women's Results

LAS CRUCES, N.M.-- New Mexico State harrier sophomore Brandi Gutierrez earned first team All-WAC honors after her impressive fourth-place individual finish at the 2008 WAC Cross Country Championships, Saturday morning, at the NMSU Golf Course in Las Cruces, N.M.

Junior Ingrid Flores and freshman Ian Ruybalid both earned second team All-WAC honors. Flores crossed the finish line 13^th overall for the women, while Ruybalid was 14^thoverall for the men.

The women’s team had four Aggies place within the top 20, which panned-out to a fourth-place team finish, while the men had a sixth-place team finish.

Assistant coach Paul Harkins said he was very proud of the overall improvement by both teams.

“We were hoping for a little more on the women’s side, but we still improved two whole spots from last season and with almost the same athletes. I think that says a lot about the improvement of the women’s team,” Harkins said. “Plus, we had first and second team all conference selections and two other women who were just shy of placing in the top 14. We took many strides forward as a program today.

“Even though the men’s team finished in the same place as last season, we are all-around better,” Harkins added. “Everyone ran solid, especially our younger guys.”

On the women’s side, Gutierrez clocked a time of 18:36.30, which erases almost 50 seconds off her Kachina Classic time of 19:26.1, which was ran earlier this season and on the same course.

“Brandi [Gutierrez] had a great day,” Harkins said. “Not only did she run smart, but she ran tough. We are very proud of her.”

Flores was the second Aggie across the line and clocked a time of 19:01.80, while Brittany Hurtado crossed the line third and 16^th overall with a time of 19:08. Hurtado also had a 40 second improvement on the day.

Fourth across was sophomore Amy Arenas, placing 19^th overall and finished with a time of 19:12.50.

Junior Christina Herrera was the fifth for the Crimson and White. She recorded a time of 19:57.10, which was good for 36^th place overall.

On the men’s side, Ruybalid led the team with a time of 26:35.10.

“Ian [Ruybalid] is one of the gutsiest runners ever,” Harkins said. “He came out and ran a race to perfection.”

Second across the line for the Crimson and White was freshman Anthony Ellis, placing 21^st overall with a time of 27:09.80.

Senior Josh Sifuentes and sophomore Michael Hart were the fourth and fifth Aggies, respectively. Sifuentes grabbed 29^th place overall with a solid time of 27:32 and a little more than five second later, Hart finished out the race. He placed 31^st overall with a time of 27:37.80.

Senior James Nduati was the fifth for NMSU, he placed 35^th overall with a time of 27:56.50.

“We just really improved today on both sides,” Harkins added. “There is tremendous potential for both the men’s and women’s teams. I am very excited to see how it unfolds.”