Four Western New Mexico University cross country runners received Academic All-RMAC honors on Thursday. On the women's side, sophomores Cassandra Sanchez (Acoma Pueblo, NM) and Amy Roybal (Pojoaque Valley, NM), along with junior Chelsea Nelson (Grants, NM), were placed on the honor roll. The men's team junior Wilton Atkins (Wanganui, New Zealand) also was placed on the honor roll.
Sanchez finished the 2008 season with her best time coming at the RMAC Championship in Grand Junction, Colorado. She finished the race first for the Mustangs and a time of 24:44.3, good for 48th overall. Overall, Sanchez was the Mustangs’ top runner two times this past season; whereas Roybal was the Mustangs’ top runner the remainder of the races. Roybal’s best time in a 5K race was posted at the Riverside Invite in California (20:02.7).
Nelson remained consistent for the Mustangs. Her top place was at the Kachina Classic in Las Cruces in late September. She finished 35th and with a time of 22:28.3.
On the men’s side, Atkins made huge strides throughout the season as this was his first experience running long distance. The tennis player turned runner finished second for the Mustangs at the RMAC Championships in a time of 30:06.1 to finish 70th.
To qualify for Academic All-RMAC, student-athletes must have a GPA of 3.20 or better, be a starter or key reserve, and completed two consecutive semesters or three quarters at their current institution. Their GPA is what they had earned prior to cross country season beginning.
RMAC Sports Information Directors at schools that sponsor the sport of women’s and men’s cross country selected First and Second Team Academic All-RMAC. These SIDs took into account the student-athletes work in the classroom, as well as on the course.
Click here to view the complete women's press release.
Click here to view the complete men's press release.