Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) track team Fred Puckett Rice Twilight
“The competition had some of the best NCAA DI and DII programs in the state and we were the only NAIA school present. That fact didn’t affect us it just made us rise to the occasion,” explains SAGU Track Coach Jason Covarrubias .
It was another race that Jose Campos and Cody Walker battled it out for the 800m school record. They also brought Raul Olmos along for the ride. All three ran the fastest times in school history. Campos led the charge with the time of 1:58.31, barely beating Walker (1:58.39), and followed closely behind by Olmos (2:00.88).
The close finish in the 800m race has been that way for much of the season, “”These guys just keep battling and are pushing each other to new heights,” says Covarrubias.
SAGU stand-out Jerry Nava finished 18 th out of 42 runners and shattered his school record with the time of 15:29.78. Covarrubias believes this was Nava’s most strategic race he has competed in.
National Championship runner Destiny Garza was the only competitor from the women’s team. Garza finished in 17 th place in the 5k and with the third fastest time in school history with a time of 18:14.65.
“This was a great speed tune up race for Destiny,” says Covarrubias, “It is hard to transition from the 1500 and the 5k, which are speed races which she had been running all season to an endurance race, 10k that she ran at the Mt. SAC Relays and back again. She did well! I am looking forward to seeing her blend the speed and endurance together at the NCCAA’s!”
This weekend, the SAGU track team will be sending a select few to the Southwestern College Relays in Winfield, Kansas for a last chance meet.
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.
