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Kapel and Licon

UTEP XC’s Kapel, Licon Finish as Top Miners at the Art Morgan Classic Saturday Morning

9/5/2026 11:29:00 AM


FINAL RESULTS

LAS CRUSES, N.M. – UTEP cross country's Nathan Kapel clocked a personal-best time of 14:52.38, finishing fourth, and Salma Licon posted a personal best of 18:47.40 to place in the top 10 at the NM State Golf Course on Saturday morning. The Miners also saw seven personal bests in the season opener, while nine made their UTEP debuts. 
 
"I thought today was a positive way to open the season for both our men and women. There was a lot of good energy and competitiveness from our group, and it was great to see some of our newcomers get their first opportunity to compete in a UTEP uniform," second-year UTEP head coach Francesca Green said. "We know this is only the beginning and there is a lot of work ahead of us, but today gave us a good starting point. Now we'll get back to work, continue building, and look forward to competing at home in a couple of weeks."
 
Kapel was the top Miner for the men after turning in a 14:52.38, topping his previous best in the 5K of 15:02.3 at the 2024 Lori Fitzgerald in Las Cruces while he was competing at Texas Tech. Kapel, a recent transfer from SFA, was fourth overall of 72 competitors. 
 
Licon, an El Paso native and senior captain, was the top Miner on the women's side with a personal-best time of 18:47.40 in the 5K, finishing 10th of 60 runners. Her previous best was a 10:26.7 at the 2025 Lori Fitzgerald Invite in Las Cruces. 
 
"Strong start to the season. Coming away with runner-up finishes on both sides is an encouraging sign," UTEP assistant coach Justin Herbert said. "We have higher expectations, and we need to clean up some things, work as a pack a little better, but lots of promising signs to build on as we head into our home meet in a couple of weeks."
 
Freshman Ashlyn McMillan was right behind Licon. The Hanks High School graduate completed her first collegiate race, placing 11th overall with a time of 18:49.35. 
 
Freshman Mia Hairston was 18th overall, as the Montwood High School grad posted a time of 19:24.87 in her first collegiate action. 
 
Junior Sofia Ramirez, a transfer from El Paso Community College, finished 20th. Ramirez came up short of a PR, turning in a 19:30.91. Her best is 19:26.2 while competing at EPCC last year.
 
Senior Vallary Kiplagat recorded a time of 19:59.25, placing 26th.
 
Freshman Kissleine Casarez posted a 20:37.89 in her first collegiate meet. 
 
Freshman from Montwood Aubrey Arsenault (21:06.61) placed 36th.  
 
Sophomore and El Pasoan Isabella Campa clocked in a personal-best time of 21:08.29. Her previous best was 21:31.4 at the 2025 Lori Fitzgerald. 
 
Senior Brenda Jerop (21:34.26) was 45th overall.
 
Junior Bobbie Guillen clocked a personal best of 21:58.07 as the Del Valle grad was 48th. 
 
Junior captain Juan Leal posted a PR time of 15:06.19, finishing 13th overall. Leal, a Franklin High School alum, surpassed his previous best of 15:18.0 at last year's Lori Fitzgerald. 
 
Sophomore Paul Rotich clocked a PR time of 15:20.39, finishing 18th. Rotich's previous best was 15:33.7 at last year's UNM Lobo Invite. 
 
Senior Carmelo Corral, an Americas High School grad, was 20th with a time of 15:26.15. 
 
Junior from Immanuel Christian School, Israel Quintana, turned in a personal-best time of 15:37.69 and finished 25th. Quintana's previous best was 15:56.9 at the 2025 Lori Fitzgerald. 
 
Freshman Frankie Medina was 27th with a time of 15:37.69. The Franklin High School alum competed in his first collegiate race. 
 
Sophomore from Pebble Hills and Western New Mexico transfer, Ameen Ibrahim, was 38th with a time of 16:09.53 in his first collegiate cross country meet. 
 
Sebastian Mendez was 41st as the freshman from Franklin clocked a 16:14.80. 
 
UP NEXT
The Miners will host the 40th Lori Fitzgerald Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 19, at Ascarate Park. It will mark the first cross country home event since 2019. The race is free for all fans and spectators. 
 
 
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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