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Luis Pastor - Lori Fitz

UTEP XC Opens Season with Seven Personal Bests at the 39th Lori Fitzgerald Saturday Morning

8/30/2025 11:54:00 AM

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Cross country newcomer Luis Pastor placed in the top 10, while seven Miners posted personal-best times in UTEP's 2025 season opener at the 39th Lori Fitzgerald Open in Las Cruces, N.M., on Saturday morning on the NM State Golf Course. 
 
Pastor, an El Paso native and Texas transfer, finished 10th overall out of 74 competitors, clocking in a 14:58.73 in the men's 5k. It was Pastor's first collegiate 5k event. 
 
Vallary Kiplagat was the top Miner on the women's side, placing 23rd overall of 60 runners in the 5k. Kiplagat clocked in a personal-best 18:48.56. Her previous best was 19:09.9 at last year's Lori Fitzgerald. 
 
"New Mexico and Texas Tech are tough teams, but our men hung tough today and ended up third. It's a good measure of where we are at currently, but we know there's more in the tank," UTEP distance coach Justin Herbert said. "On the women's side, we had some strong performances and our returners all ran faster on this course than in previous years. We will look to progress throughout the season. It was a great competition with excellent weather, and NMSU did a great job of putting on a first-class meet. Great way to start the season."
 
The New Mexico men's team was first in the standings; Texas Tech was second, and UTEP finished third. NM State won the women's team title, while Texas Tech was second. 
 
Rounding out the order of finish for the men's squad was Juan Leal (19th) with a personal-best time of 15:18.0, Carmelo Corral (20th), who competed in his first collegiate 5k (15:18.53), Andrés Gurrola (21st) with a personal-best time of 15:20.60, Paul Rotich (32nd) with a time of 15:53.49 in his cross country debut, Israel Quintana (34th) with a 15:56.88 in his first collegiate 5k, Jacob Yeager (41st) with a 16:17.88 in his collegiate debut, Matthew Guerra (43rd), with a 16:20.92, Christian Hurtado (50th) with a personal-best 16:26.60, Aron Tanui (51st) with a 16:26.63, and Evan Avitia (56th) with a 16:39.04. 
 
For the women's team, Salma Licon (33rd) clocked in a personal-best 19:26.64, Andrea Castillo (45th) posted a personal-best 20:58.38, Isabella Campa (49th) turned in a 21:31.38 in her collegiate debut, Bobbi Guillen (53rd) clocked in a personal-best 22:14.77, and Brenda Jerop (56th) had a time of 23:12.95. 
  
 
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For complete coverage of UTEP Track & Field/Cross Country, be sure to follow the Miners on social media at @UTEPTrack (Twitter/Instagram/Facebook) or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.
 
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