2010-2011 Team

Western Texas College head men’s cross-country coach, Garrett Hicks looks for a change in the culture of the team for 2010. “We found the incoming runners in 2009 challenged by the task of adjusting to college athletics. We feel the 2010 recruits have an outstanding work ethic,” accorded Hicks.

While national qualifier Marcus Garza is gone from the squad, two key returners that should help the Westerners are Angel Soriano and John Rios. Hicks noted the expectations for Soriano, saying, “We look for good things from Angel, I am anxious to see what he will do this fall. He has put in a lot of mileage this summer.”

Hicks should have some increased fire power with a transfer from cross-country and track powerhouse Iowa Central Community College. Conroy Crossman (Jamaica) will become Westerners this fall. Crossman was the anchor for the Iowa Central  4 x 800 meter relay team that won the 2010 national championship in that event.  Hicks also looks for good things from Joel Venegas (Kilgore, TX) who was a 4-A state 800 meter finalist in the Texas State track championships last spring.  “Tommy McIntire has the kind of work ethic and endurance we need to be successful,” added Hicks in regard to the Forney, Texas recruit. The Westerners will also feature a local recruit, Zachary Guizeres from Roscoe, Texas.

According to Hicks, South Plains will be the favorite at the regional meet. South Plains captured the national track title last spring. “We have our sites set on El Paso and South Plains this year, two teams we have never beaten,” Hicks stated. The men’s cross-country team opens up on September 17th at Texas Tech.  The NJCAA men’s and women’s national cross-country championships will be held on November 13th in Spartanburg, South Carolina.