EDINBURG – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley men's and women's cross country teams get their season started with the RGV Duals on Friday at Monte Cristo Golf Course and Country Club.
 
The women will run 3,200 meters starting at 6:30 p.m. while the men will run their 5K at 6:50 p.m. The meet is open to the public and admission is free.
 
The Competition
UTRGV is running against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi as they vie for four points in the South Texas Showdown, presented by Navy Army Community Credit Union. The winning men's and women's team will garner two points each. UTRGV currently leads the rivalry series 3-0 after one event.
 
Format
Last year's RGV Duals featured both teams running 5K but this year the men will run the 5K while the women will run 3,200 meters. Finishers will get points based on their finish.
 
Last Year
UTRGV competed against TAMUCC in a meet in which both men's and women's programs completed a 5K run.
 
Jose Juan Wells and Rick Montero, who finished second and eighth respectively among collegiate runners, paced the men's team. Wells posted a time of 16:03 in the 5K race while Montero had a time of 16:28 while Isaac Arevalo finished in 10th place with a time of 16:44.
 
On the women's side, Jennifer Zapata, led the way as she finished in third place with a time of 19:06, while Thalia Polanco finished in fourth with a time of 19:07. Teresa Sova posted a fifth place finish with a time of 19:12 while Roxanna Vidaurri posted a time of 19:51 for a ninth place finish.
 
Local Flavor
Both the men's and women's teams have their fair share of student-athletes from the Rio Grande Valley with both teams having 10 on the squad.
 
Next Up
UTRGV cross country will be back in action on September 16 when they travel to Corpus Christi for the Islander Splash, which will also be part of the South Texas Showdown, Presented by Navy Army Community Credit Union.  

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