University's 7th Annual Dusty Fun Run & Walk Posts Results for Saturday Event

Over 200 runners and walkers took part in Texas A&M International University's Seventh Annual Dusty Fun Run and Walk benefiting student scholarships.

Friday's downpour apparently didn't dampen runners' or walkers'spirits and Dr. Ray Keck, president of A&M International, said the University appreciates the community's commitment to helping raise funds for student scholarships.

"We are delighted with the response from the community. At A&M International, we strive to attract the best and brightest students. In order to achieve this goal, we need to provide our students with the necessary financial support to pursue their academic endeavors. Over 85% of our students complete their degrees with some form of financial assistance. With the partnership of our community, we can assure that all A&M International students can receive the assistance they need," Dr. Keck explained.

He noted that corporate sponsors are also helping the University to assure that no student is denied a four-year University education because of financial barriers and he saluted their support of this effort.

Extreme sponsors were Falcon National Bank, Just For Feet, and Popeye's Chicken & Biscuit of Laredo. Iron Man sponsors are Mercy Health Plans, Pain Management Clinic of Laredo, and Wells Fargo. Performance sponsors are Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Foster Engineering, Lula Morales Realty, Richard E. Sames, Proviron Inc. Natural Gas, Sánchez Oil & Gas Corporation, and Dr. Gary Unzeitig and Dr. Jane Unzeitig.

Other donors and sponsors include Target, Barnes & Noble College Bookstore, Cavazos Wholesale, Coca-Cola of Laredo, Coyote Creek, Dillard's, Favarato's Restaurant and Bar, The Gym, The Jardiniere, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, Marshall's, Mercy Health Center, Tel Tech Communications, and Toño's Bar & Grill.

Participants in the event could choose from a non-competitive 2-mile Fun Walk or competitive 5K or 10K runs. The addition of a buddy program utilizing University fitness and sports majors helped youngsters participate in both Walk and Run segments.

The winner of the Overall Male 5K Best of Race was Benny Rodriguez

Overall Female 5K Best of Race went to Lorraine Garcia.

The Overall Male 10K Best of Race went to Mark Vela. Overall Female 10K Best of Race was awarded to Crystal Dickinson.

Participants receiving trophies for first, second, and third places in various categories for both 5K and 10K are as follows:

5 K, Male

Male 12 and Under

1. Joaquin Hernandez

2. Hugo Ramos

3. Diego Longoria

Male 13-16

1. Julian Mendoza, Jr.

2. Jack Zepeda

3. Jonathan Garcia

Male 17-20

1. Adrian Romanos

2. Derly Omar Bueno

3. Ross Yharte

Male 21-29

1. Benny Rodriguez

2. Ivan Gaxiola

3. Manuel Gamboa, Jr.

Male 30-39

1. Agustin Contreras, Jr.

2. Ricky Garza

3. Art Martinez

Male 40-49

1. Memo Trevino

2. Fernando Amador

3. Roman "Neto" Gutierrez

Male 50-59

1. Richard Hughes

2. Manuel R. Flores

Male 60-69

1. Frank McKinnis

2. Elias Mendiola

3. Jose Garcia

5 K, Female

Female 12 and Under

1. Andrea Longoria

2. Selina Salazar

3. Lauren Milks

Female 13-16

1. Cecilia Gonzalez

2. Cristina Garcia

3. Bea Negrete

Female 17-20

1. Lorraine Garcia

2. Ileana P. Juarez

3. Johanna Gomez

Female 21-29

1. Tanya Ramirez

2. Debbie Leija

3. Paola De la Fuente

Female 30-39

1. Kristina Y. Chapa

2. Lila Stock

3. Diana C. Ramos

Female 40-49

1. Mary Gutierrez

2. Lourdes Longoria

Female 50-59

1. Mary Freeman

Female 60-69

1. Rosa Marin

Female 70 and Above

1. Ilse Lehr

10K, Male

Male 12 and Under

1. George Chandarlis

Male 17-20

1. Mark Vela

2. Juan Moran Lopez

3. Cesar Banuelos

Male 21-29

1. Agapito Esparza

Male 30-39

1. Juan Sotelo

2. Anisteo Gonzalez

3. Javier Villa

Male 40-49

1. Rodolfo Mendoza

2. Roby Freeman

3. Victor M. Lopez

Male 50-59

1. Alfredo Zarate

2. Alberto Muniz

3. Felipe Esparza

10K, Female

Female 12 and Under

1. Crystal Dickinson

Female 21-29

1. Elisa Gomez

2. Cecily Cornelius-White

Female 30-39

1. Patricia Weber

2. Maria Moro

3. Christy Teranishi

Female 40-49

1. Odulia Gomez

2. Briseiola Ramirez

Female 50-59

1. Rebecca Garza

Next year's Eighth Annual Dusty Fun Run and Walk for Student Scholarships at Texas A&M International University has been scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 9, 2002.

For additional information, please contact the Office for Institutional Advancement at 326-2175.

University office hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu