Destiny Garza Jerry Nava
Garza finished in 101 st place out of 334 runners. Nava finished 141 st out of 331 runners.
This was Garza’s second NAIA Cross Country National Championship after participating in 2015. This year she finished her 5k in 18:48. Garza is SAGU’s reigning (and only) national champion after coming in first place in the NAIA Marathon in May.
As the first female cross country signee for SAGU, Garza has left a major mark, “Her career has been amazing thing to watch,” explains head coach Jason Covarrubias , “It seems like yesterday that she stepped foot on campus three and a half years ago. She has come so far and we are looking forward to defending her national championships in track. We like cross country but love the longer races that track brings.”
Nava has also made history in many different categories during his cross country career the past two years at SAGU. He is the first SAGU male to ever qualify and compete at the NAIA Cross Country National Championship as well as the NAIA Marathon National Championship. Nava finished his 8k in 26:17.50.
Covarrubias is amazed at how well his soccer player turned cross country runner performed. “I am very pleased with today’s showing,” Covarrubias said. “Jerry gained so much experience running against 331 of the nation’s fastest. I think he grew as a runner and we grew as a program today. If Jerry continues to work hard and strive for daily excellence, he’ll have another shot at the NAIA National Championships.”
Both Nava and Garza will be running at the Dallas Marathon on December 11, 2016, in hopes of qualifying for the NAIA Marathon National Championship.
About SAGU:
Southwestern Assemblies of God University is a private, Christian university located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas. The university was established in 1927, and now offers more than 70 associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees on campus or online. More information is available at www.sagu.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-SAGU.
Contact: Natalie Tristan, SAGU SID, [email protected]
