Adopting new programs UTRGV brings new majors to both campuses
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Volume 71, No. 25
ONLINE CONTENT
April 16, 2015
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opinion
April 16, 2015
The Pan American
thepanamerican@gmail.com
Medical marijuana can ease lives May Ortega
Co-Editor-in-Chief There is a 5-year-old girl named Lailah who lives in Edinburg and suffers dozens of seizures per day, according to an article published by The Monitor April 4. As she gets older, her epilepsy intensifies, along with the drugs her doctors prescribe. Her parents hate that she is constantly in a “zombie”-like state and they - being familiar with this situation from research - want to prevent her from succumbing to childhood organ failure from toxic medications by implementing a not-so-traditional remedy: medical marijuana. The image of a child smoking pot is off-putting to say the least, but in this case and many others, it represents a respite from exhausting pain. First, it’s important to understand that in cases like Lailah’s, she’d need to consume cannabidiol, not tetrahydrocannabinol. The former CBD - delivers the therapy the plant has to offer without a high from the latter - THC. Howev-
er, some legalization supporters argue that small doses of THC are beneficial too, depending on the condition being treated. One such situation would be slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s. According to a 2006 study by the Scripps Research Institute published in the Molecular Pharmaceutics journal, THC blocks enzymes in the brain responsible for producing amyloid plaque, which causes the disease. It also helps relieve nausea and pain following chemotherapy. On that note, CBD can prevent or slow the spread of cancer by switching off genes called Id-1, according to a 2007 report from Molecular Cancer Therapeutics. CBD is the natural element in marijuana that Lailah’s parents so desperately need. Their daughter’s weight has been dropping because of the amount of energy her condition drains from her. Lailah’s mother, Cristina Limas-Ollervidez, told The Monitor that her daughter presently weighs nearly what she did when she was 2 years old. Sometimes the wheelchair-bound girl falls asleep from exhaustion
after her seizures. According to The Monitor, she reached a point where about 100 fits would ravage her daily. There are several instances where the use of medical marijuana on individuals suffering from the same malady as Lailah
to regulate the nervous system. Twenty states, including Nevada and New Mexico, have legalized medicinal access to the Schedule 1 drug. Substances in this category, according to the United States Drug Enforcement Agency, carry a high potential
The image of a child smoking pot is off-putting to say the least, but in this case and many others, it represents a respite from exhausting pain. has aided their improvement. CNN’s chief medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta made a documentary in August 2013 simply titled WEED. In it, he met a couple whose 5-year-old daughter also suffered from seizures - about 300 a week. After implementing some pot that was high in CBD and low in THC, those fits went down to one within the same amount of time. In 2003, researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond found that CBD and the brain’s naturally produced cannabinoids go hand-in-hand
for addiction. That’s interesting, seeing how the National Institute on Drug Abuse states only 9 percent of users become dependent on marijuana. Compare that to 20 percent with tobacco; the latter definitely doesn’t prevent cancer. Schedule 1 drugs also have “no currently accepted medical treatment” in the States. According to a February poll by the Texas Tribune, 28 percent of Texas voters support medical legalization. Meanwhile, 49 percent support legalization altogether and 28 percent are against its approval in any way.
There are currently two bills in the Texas Legislature with the goal of legalization: HB 892 and SB 339. Both push for prescriptions for individuals suffering from epilepsy, referred to as “compassionate use” in the documents. The house bill is currently with the Texas House Public Health Committee. In the Rio Grande Valley there are groups dedicated to marijuana reform in the Lone Star State, such as the local chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. Members of RGV NORML lobby for both medical and recreational legalization, and spend time informing locals on the benefits of the plant. Unless one or both bills are adopted, Lailah’s family and others like them will have to keep using heavy doses of mind-dulling meds, hoping that the patient can keep living despite the threat of failing organs. So, legalize it for the greater good and put any anti-pot prejudice aside.
1201 West University, ARHU 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 Phone: (956) 665-2541 Fax: (956) 665-7122
Editors-in-Chief: Andrew Vera May Ortega
Sports Editor:
Marco Torres
Arts & Life Editor: Nerio Celaya
Photography Editor: Jon Nutt
Design Editor:
Alicia Rangel
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Sharath Kumar Aitha The Pan American is the official student newspaper of The University of Texas-Pan American. Views presented are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the paper or University.
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Vol. 71, No. 25
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Juanita Renee Rivas/ The Pan American Members of the Psychology Club fundraise near the Library by selling snacks to hungry students April 15. The Psychology Club holds meetings Tuesdays from noon to 1p.m. in the Social and Behavioral Sciences building Room 101.
news
April 16, 2015
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Organic mushrooms to grow in RGV Renovated farm to yield produce, health By Andrea E. Perez The Pan American To Joshua Barreto, organic means fresh. He thinks of organic farming as a way to create something clean and healthy to eat; something that doesn’t make the person eating it worry about unwanted modifications done to food. The UTPA sophomore is a farmer, entrepreneur and fulltime student. With help from his family and fiancee, Ana Maria Pérez, the anthropology major and biology minor was able to start a registered business last month: Valley Organic Farm. VOF serves with the purpose of supplying the area with fresh, locally produced organic mushrooms. Barreto stated that the closest similar farm is located in Gonzales, about 250 miles from Edinburg, and does not produce the same species of mushrooms he will be farming. Valley Organic Farm will begin production once its housing has been renovated. The harvest will include the oyster mushroom grown organically and will transition to other specialty mushrooms such
as lion’s mane and shiitake. VOF will produce out of Rio Grande City until the permanent location, slated for nearby Sullivan City, is operational. “I wanted to start my own farm three years ago,” the Rio Grande City native said. “I was still working in a job, but I always knew I wanted to do something else.” The 24-year-old explained how he grew up around nature. When his family first moved to Texas more than 15 years ago, they bought two acres of land in Rio Grande City where he was constantly surrounded and fascinated by natural life. He began farming by growing oyster mushrooms off a straw-based medium: using mushroom spawn, plastic bags and wet straw. He stated any agricultural waste that can be composted, from sugar cane process to old denim jeans, can be used to grow mushrooms. “My family’s history is in agriculture. My grandpa was actually a farmer/rancher in Mexico,” Barreto said. “I guess you can say it’s in my blood because it’s how my family ba-
956-665-7409
sically brought themselves up from Mexico. I always knew I wanted to learn that part of my family’s history and you could say this is part of expanding on it in a different kind of way.” Barreto was given the opportunity to begin this project when Pérez’s relatives allowed the pair to scale up cultivation by using a building, previously used as a bar, that has been in Pérez’s family since the 1960s. “I’ve always had an eye to do it small scale,” Barreto said. “And even small scale can produce a lot, but I’ve always wanted to go bigger and maybe pursue this for the rest of my life.” The building, which was a bar called Balde’s Place during the 1960s, has been used for storage on-and-off without regular maintenance since the ‘90s. It is currently not in condition to be the permanent home of VOF and must undergo renovations. Its main problem is the roof, which has rotted away in places. Other needed changes include the removal of sheetrock that has been eaten away by mold, as well as fixing ex-
pansion cracks on the exterior brick walls caused by the South Texas heat. Pérez, a Sullivan City native, said she was excited and intimidated by the project since it promised to be a lot of work. She explained she will be primarily in the background taking care of finances, bookkeeping and marketing once the business is fully functioning. “I’m no stranger to work, believe me, but it is a big task ahead of us,” the 21-year-old said. Barreto said the estimated total cost of renovation, including digital monitoring systems, is $10,000. That amount has been temporarily downscaled to $5,000 as Barreto and Pérez focus on fixing the roof and exterior of the building. Barreto said laboratory equipment and everything else can wait until costs are cut. He plans on starting with low-tech equipment, similar to what is used in developing countries, and upgrading once production and revenue have increased. Currently, all funds going into the farm effort are from Barreto and Pérez’s own pockets.
The couple opened a Gofundme page in late March and has raised $260 in 23 days. Donors can select from eight “reward levels” or give their preferred amount through the website. “It is hard to just be pulling money out of your own pocket, especially when we don’t work full time,” Barreto said. “It is hard and time consuming to be trying to accumulate these funds just to solely focus on this. I would hope that the amount of donations will increase.” Within the next six months, Barreto plans on finishing some renovations to the building and getting the farm fully off the ground and operational. His goal is to produce a yearly output of at least 140,000 pounds of product a year, building a successful business that eventually can be certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Once the farm is working, he plans on giving back to residents of the Valley by expanding the knowledge of sustainable agriculture and showing people that it is not an impossible task to take on in their daily lives.
UTPADINING.SODEXOMYWAY.COM
“With an educational outreach, we (will) reach local school districts and tell them that we are available if they ever need us for anything,” Barreto said. “We will offer free seminars on sustainable practices regarding mushroom cultivation.” He believes that Valley Organic Farm will influence sustainability, showing it is not only a way to create revenue, but a beneficial form of agriculture for the environment without having to use fertilizers or pesticides. For more information on Valley Organic Farm, follow the group on Facebook. Donations can be given on their official gofundme page. “Just by letting people know that this is possible will probably be able to create more educational foundation on the subject of fungal culture and that it is possible and not as hard as it may seem,” Barreto said. “There is nothing scary about it.”
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THE PAN AMERICAN
April 16, 2015
April 16, 2015
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THE PAN AMERICAN
UTRGV offers new majors for both campuses By Elsa Cavazos The Pan American
Once UTPA and the University of Texas at Brownsville become the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in August, students at both campuses will have access to 30 new majors, according to the Texas Coordinating Board website. While some programs are being added, others are being omitted and students have mixed feelings about it all. Students at the Edinburg campus will be able to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in marine biology, which was previously only available at UTB. Meanwhile, students at the Brownsville location can receive a master’s in accounting, which was only offered at UTPA in the past. Other majors such as public policy and management as well as physician assistant studies, will also be part of the new curriculum. According to Cynthia Brown, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at UTPA who will be deputy provost for UTRGV, there will be several new graduate programs in health sciences including health and human performance as well as exercise science. Other additions are bachelor’s and master’s in Spanish translation and interpreting as well as master’s degrees in fine arts, creative writing, social work and occupational therapy. While the merger will bring more options for students, certain programs are set to be removed, such as the major in French, due to low student enrollment. No student was awarded a BA in French in either 2012-13 or 2011-12; there was one student in 2010-11. While some might be excited to have more majors offered on campus, Marisa Marquez, a chemistry major and French minor set to graduate in December, disagrees with the
decision of getting rid of some programs; one in particular is the French undergraduate degree. “I feel happy there will be more courses offered and more opportunities on campus. Since I am graduating next winter, the new courses won’t apply to me, but I am glad they will be offered,” the senior said. “I am sad though, they are taking off the French major. Learning another language expands your possibilities of work.” Cristina Arevalo, an interdisciplinary skills major, also disagrees with the loss of courses. “I don’t think taking out majors is a good idea,” the junior said. “Maybe not a lot of people might be interested in those majors, but there will probably be some incoming students who could be interested and then they will be removed and won’t have the opportunity to be enrolled in them.” However, some students are optimistic about the additions. Jorge Cantu, a finance major, believes it would make space for other courses that could bring more interest to UTRGV. “With the merger of the schools, I am glad there will be plenty more
possibilities offered for us and the rest of the students in the Valley,” the junior said. “It’s great to see the positive things coming out of the two schools coming together, like new majors being offered.” Other upcoming degree options for students at Brownsville will include mass communication, management, computer engineering and civil engineering. Jennifer McGovern, a UTPA junior, said there is nothing wrong with making space available for new majors and courses. “It is great to know there will be more majors for bachelors and master’s degrees,” she said. “I am glad what was available in Brownsville will now be included for us as well and what was already available for the Edinburg campus will be there for students in Brownsville that did not have the chance before.”
Alicia Rangel/ The Pan American
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THE PAN AMERICAN
April 16, 2015
April 16, 2015
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THE PAN AMERICAN
UTRGV offers new majors for both campuses By Elsa Cavazos The Pan American
Once UTPA and the University of Texas at Brownsville become the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in August, students at both campuses will have access to 30 new majors, according to the Texas Coordinating Board website. While some programs are being added, others are being omitted and students have mixed feelings about it all. Students at the Edinburg campus will be able to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in marine biology, which was previously only available at UTB. Meanwhile, students at the Brownsville location can receive a master’s in accounting, which was only offered at UTPA in the past. Other majors such as public policy and management as well as physician assistant studies, will also be part of the new curriculum. According to Cynthia Brown, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at UTPA who will be deputy provost for UTRGV, there will be several new graduate programs in health sciences including health and human performance as well as exercise science. Other additions are bachelor’s and master’s in Spanish translation and interpreting as well as master’s degrees in fine arts, creative writing, social work and occupational therapy. While the merger will bring more options for students, certain programs are set to be removed, such as the major in French, due to low student enrollment. No student was awarded a BA in French in either 2012-13 or 2011-12; there was one student in 2010-11. While some might be excited to have more majors offered on campus, Marisa Marquez, a chemistry major and French minor set to graduate in December, disagrees with the
decision of getting rid of some programs; one in particular is the French undergraduate degree. “I feel happy there will be more courses offered and more opportunities on campus. Since I am graduating next winter, the new courses won’t apply to me, but I am glad they will be offered,” the senior said. “I am sad though, they are taking off the French major. Learning another language expands your possibilities of work.” Cristina Arevalo, an interdisciplinary skills major, also disagrees with the loss of courses. “I don’t think taking out majors is a good idea,” the junior said. “Maybe not a lot of people might be interested in those majors, but there will probably be some incoming students who could be interested and then they will be removed and won’t have the opportunity to be enrolled in them.” However, some students are optimistic about the additions. Jorge Cantu, a finance major, believes it would make space for other courses that could bring more interest to UTRGV. “With the merger of the schools, I am glad there will be plenty more
possibilities offered for us and the rest of the students in the Valley,” the junior said. “It’s great to see the positive things coming out of the two schools coming together, like new majors being offered.” Other upcoming degree options for students at Brownsville will include mass communication, management, computer engineering and civil engineering. Jennifer McGovern, a UTPA junior, said there is nothing wrong with making space available for new majors and courses. “It is great to know there will be more majors for bachelors and master’s degrees,” she said. “I am glad what was available in Brownsville will now be included for us as well and what was already available for the Edinburg campus will be there for students in Brownsville that did not have the chance before.”
Alicia Rangel/ The Pan American
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arts & life
April 16, 2015
Award-winning actress talks DREAMers, Latino rights at series By Andrew Vera The Pan American The UTPA Distinguished Speaker Series closed its 11th season Monday night in the Field House by welcoming Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning actress America Ferrera. The California native spoke about DREAMers, Latino voter turnout and the power young people have to change the world. Most known for movies such as Real Women have Curves, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and her role in the television comedy-drama Ugly Betty, Ferrera is an advocate for raising awareness for Latino voters. She spoke candidly about the lack of voter turnout for Hispanics in the U.S. and how a spike in voters would be “nothing short of a revolution.” Historically, Hispanics and Latinos have been known to have the lowest voter turnout in the U.S. According to Pew Research Center, 31 percent of Hispanics cast a vote, compared to nearly 50 percent of whites in the 2010 midterm elections.
“If you aren’t sure how to begin engaging in your world, let me make a tiny suggestion. It’s a four-letter word, but I’m going to say it anyway. Vote,” the 30-yearold said. “And I know you’ve heard this before, but I’m going to say this again, and again and again. I cannot explain how important it is to show up … and vote.” Ferrera, raised in Los Angeles by a single mother who emigrated from Honduras in the 70s, talked about how voting within the Latino community can help change issues in the country for the better. Immigration was another issue she focused on, mentioning DREAMers and how they continue to inspire her. DREAMers, or those who meet the requirements under the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, are people living in the U.S. without proper documentation that may benefit from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a program that would protect these individuals from deportation. Ferrera told a story of a young boy she met at an im-
migration rally in Arizona who would not attend college because of his immigration status. She also recognized the reality that there were DREAMers in the audience that night. “I’ve protested with them, I’ve played one of them on TV (in ) and spoken out on their behalf dozens of times because I believe what they’re trying to accomplish is incredibly brave and incredibly sensible,” Ferrera said. “They’re not citizens, and they’re not here legally, but this is their home.” These non-citizens are numbered in the U.S. at more than 11 million, according to PRC. Ferrera used her career as an example for young children who don’t feel worthy of following their dreams and passions. She looked back at her first acting roles, noting that she mostly played “cholas” or Mexican people. Although she felt unworthy because of her ethnicity, the very things she disliked about herself landed her the role that started her career. Ferrera was cast as Ana Garcia in Real Women have Curves, released in 2002. Garcia was a
first-generation American transitioning between high school and college. Coming from a poor family, she had to choose between supporting her family or getting an education, a similar plight in Ferrera’s actual life. Ferrera spoke of how the role she played inspired thousands of young women and Latinos to follow their dreams. Feeling like her passion for acting could never change the world, a college professor told her a story about a young girl whose life was changed by Real Women have Curves. The young girl showed the professor the film and said that she had never felt so represented in a movie and mentioned how similar her life was to that of Ana Garcia, Ferrera’s character. The professor showed the movie to the girl’s parents, opening up the conversation about the girl obtaining an education. “After he finished telling me this, (my professor) looked at me and said, ‘Your movie allowed me to have a conversation that neither I nor this girl could have ever had with her parents. And it
changed the course of her life,’” Ferrera said. She went on to explain how following one’s dreams and passions, whether to be a doctor or an actor, can alter a life or possibly the lives of thousands. “I didn’t have to give up (acting) in order to make a difference,” the New York resident said. “In fact my passion had the ability to change a life and that living in the truth of who I am is what gives me the power to connect with others.” Ferrera, who played the wife of Cesar Chavez in a indepen-
dent film last year, encouraged the audience to be proud of who they are and have the passion to help others around them through action and passion. As the final speaker at what is still UTPA, she left the crowd with advice for the future. “I urge you to let your dreams be wild, they don’t have to make sense,” the 30-year-old said. “Embrace who you are … and learn what you have to contribute. Stand for yourself and stand for others. The bravest thing you can do in this day-in-age is stay engaged. It’s up to you to create the world you want to live in. I, for one, cannot wait to see the future we create together. Si se puede.”
Alicia Rangel/ The Pan American
Local non-profit organization hosts dog walk, beer fest wanted animals.” The Palm Valley Animal Center, located in Edinburg, is the April 11 community memonly open-admission shelter for bers and their dogs gathered to animals in Hidalgo County. Inparticipate in the Pints for Paws take facilities like this are crucial Dog Walk and Beer Fest held at for the health of animals, since Gamehaus Gastropub in McAlthey take in all animals regardlen. The benefit event was orgaless of their health conditions. nized by the Rio Grande Valley It receives nearly 40,000 animals Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic loa year and is one of the largest cated in McAllen. The non-profit single intake facilities in the naorganization hosted the event to tion, according to its website. raise awareness about spaying Torres, 32, emphasized a need and neutering pets in the Valley. for the community to become inThe fest included a one-mile volved and aware of the amount dog walk and live music by of stray dogs in the Valley. McAllen-based country band “I know that between our loCostello, as well as a raffle and cal shelters and the city impound silent auction which included facilities that take animals in between a year, between all of them - they take in approximately anywhere from 40,000 animals to 55,000 animals a year,” the McAllen native explained. “Of course, some of them just stray from home and luckily have owners that do retrieve them and pick them up from these impound facilities, but it’s still a very low number of them.” Torres, who has been Sarah Carvajal/ The Pan American working in public relaTwo participants with their dogs at the Pints for Paws fundraising tions and community event April 11 at Gamehaus Gastropub on Nolana. By Deborah Gomez The Pan American
prizes such as pet accessories, art, jewelry and gift baskets. Participants ages 21 and over received a T-shirt, bandana for their dog and two drink tickets, while underage participants received two soft drink tickets. The event organizer, Edinburg resident Brenda Torres, explained the need for fundraisers like Pints for Paws. Torres is Outreach Coordinator at RGV Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic for the event. “During the seven years that the clinic has been doing surgeries they’ve completed almost 30,000,” Torres said. “There is still a major overpopulation problem of homeless and un-
outreach for nine years, wants locals to know that the RGV Spay/ Neuter Clinic offers pet health care options for an affordable price. “The services that the clinic provides for the public are amazing,” Torres said. “The spaying and neutering we provide are at such a low cost. Once they have their appointment for their surgery then they can complete other services such as getting a microchip, rabies vaccination, feline leukemia testing, Parvo vaccination and cat vaccines.” Pet owners can prevent thier pets from deadly viruses like Parvo if you keep up with their vaccinations. The virus is highly contagious and can be a lifethreatening illness. It rapidly divides cells in the dog’s body and severely affects the intestinal tract. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Parvovirus website states it should be considered a core vaccine for all canines. The idea for the Dog Walk and Beer Fest was to reach out to young adults in the community, according to Torres, who feels that it is important for future generations to become involved in the ongoing problem of homeless animals. The ASPCA website
states that it is impossible to determine how many dogs and cats live in the United States; estimates for cats alone range up to 70 million. “We wanted the younger generation to become involved,” Torres said. “We wanted to spread awareness to our young community because they are our future and it is important that they get as much involved in this great cause.” The participants at Saturday’s event were proud to support the organization and bring their dogs. Dimitra Hernandez, UTPA alumna and a reporter, producer for the City of Edinburg, participated with her two dogs to support the cause. “I am participating in Pints for Paws because I think it’s for a good cause and it’s a fun event. I’m glad that there are events like this in the Valley because we usually see it up north,” the Chicago native explained. “It’s also really good because we get to have our dogs be around other dogs of course. With events like this it is making the people down here in the Valley realize that we are trying be a more pet-friendly area.” Hernandez mentioned that the event encouraged the com-
munity to appreciate their pets. “To have events like this in the Valley is really beneficial to our community. It’s sad to see that some people have their dogs tied up as lawn ornaments and day in and day out they’ll just be on that one leash,” the 26-year-old said. “When events like this occur and people post pictures online and in social media that our dogs are all here, it makes me people in our community know and realize that our pets are like family. The more that we can do with our pets, the better.” Alexa Flores, a nurse and McAllen resident, participated in the event with two of her bulldogs and takes advantage of any animal-friendly events that occur to show her love and support for animals. “Here in the Valley there are not a lot of things you can do with dogs. Any time there is a dog-friendly event like this, I try to bring them out and participate,” the 25-year-old said. “I also like to support the local shelters and the spay and neuter organization. I like to be involved in any event that has to deal with dogs and animals.”
sports
April 16, 2015
Broncs move forward
By Marco Torres The Pan American
After the UTPA men’s tennis team’s victories against Western Athletic Conference foes Chicago State University April 10 and Seattle University April 11, the Broncs clinched the number two seed in the WAC Tournament to be held April 24 in Kansas City. UTPA is now 4-1 in the conference, which guarantees a firstround bye in the tournament. CSU The Broncs’ first win came against the Cougars as they defeated CSU 6-1 at H-F Racquet & Fitness Club in Homewood, Ill. UTPA started the day with doubles action as it took game one 8-4, lost game two 8-6 and then the team of Ethan Ammon and Hector Ramirez secured the doubles points with an 8-6 victory. “It was good to grind out the doubles point,” Coach Brandon Stokes said. “Chicago State plays solid doubles, so it was necessary to jump out on the home team.” UTPA used those victories to carry the momentum into five victory points in singles competition. Starting the single wins for
the Broncs was freshman Koby Jansen who won in straight sets, 6-2, 6-0. Sophomore Juan Cruz Soria was next as he picked up a 6-3, 6-1 victory. However, it was Ammon, a freshman, who assured the win by beating Rashley Yeremia 6-4, 7-6. Stokes knows how difficult it can be for a team with five freshmen to win a road match, especially over a foe with five seniors. “It was a special day for our mature freshman,” Stokes said April 10. “There is more to take care of tomorrow against Seattle to wrap up a successful WAC weekend. We will be outdoors at 8 a.m. in some chilly conditions, so we will continue to prepare and focus on the things we can control.” SEATTLE U The following day, April 11, the Broncs defeated the Seattle University Redhawks 4-3, capturing their fourth victory in the WAC and earning the second seed in the tournament, a huge improvement from last year’s showing. “These boys are elevating the program’s level in a short time. Last season we were the No. 6 seed and this season this crew
have risen to the No. 2 seed,” the second-year head coach said. The day started rough as the Broncs lost the doubles points against the Redhawks, but UTPA bounced back in singles to win four of the final six points to earn the overall victory. Jansen, an Australian native, opened the action for UTPA by defeating John Stormans 6-3, 6-2, giving the Broncs their first point of the day. Ramirez was next to earn a victory and second point as he won 6-3, 6-2. Both Jansen and Ramirez will finish conference action with one loss each. Soria followed with a 6-2, 6-4 decision on court one, improving his conference singles record to 5-0 and earning his 10th overall victory of the spring. “I am happy to be undefeated in conference, especially after playing at the No. 1 spot,” the Argentina native said. “The most important thing is that I helped the team with my victories. The team is all that matters and the victories we got are because we trust in the process we are working on with coach.” The Redhawks responded with two victories of their own to tie the match at three. The
game-winning point for the Broncs came down to another Australian native: freshman Elliot Johnstone. Johnstone opened with a 6-2 win in set number one, dropped the second 5-7, but then dominated as he closed out the third set, 6-3. “It felt great to clinch the match today for the boys,” Johnstone said. “I have been battling a few demons over the past weeks so I was pumped to close this match out and get our fourth conference win as a team. I know we will build on this going into our last regular season match.” The Broncs will finish the regular season with a non-conference match against the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders, April 19 at the Thomas J. Henry Tennis Center. “I am thrilled for the boys,” Stokes said. “It has been an amazing journey this season. We have many areas to improve as we continue our collective process into the postseason. Our family is strong, determined and Michael Aguilar/ The Pan American ready to finish the regular season Nikola Crvelin serves during a Jan. 21 loss against the University with an in-state rival.” of Maryland, Baltimore County. The Broncs are scheduled to face University of Missouri - Kansas City in the WAC Tournament.
discus, Mar Gonzalez in the triple jump and Antonio Gonzalez in the high jump.
Twilight in Houston April 25. Despite the season coming to a close, Richardson says there is always room to keep getting better. “There is still work that can be done and performances that can be improved,” said Richardson, a University of Virginia graduate where he competed as a sprinter and earned the team captaincy. “We continue to prepare ourselves mentally and physically to be at our best when that second week of May rolls around, and hopefully we’ve done what it takes to be competing at NCAAs come the end of May.” The Houston event will serve as the final non-conference meet before the conclusion of outdoor track and field at the Western Athletic Conference Outdoor Championship in Orem, Utah, May 13-16. At the event, competitors will try to qualify for National Collegiate Athletic Association Preliminaries in Austin.
Home stretch By Nathaniel Mata The Pan American
In Corpus Christi at the Dugan Track and Soccer Stadium, UTPA athletes took home four first place finishes during the Islander Dash April 10-11. Runners and throwers from Texas A&M - Corpus Christi, Houston Baptist and Texas A&M Kingsville were also involved in the action over the weekend. Head coach Xavier Richardson says the team is competing strong. “We’ve been to meets against some great in-state teams and we have fared very well,” said Richardson, the third-year coach. “We just want to continue to do the same and then when it really counts at [the Western Athletic] Conference Championships.” WOMEN In the women’s javelin throw Cristina Santiago Bravo’s throw of 36.37 meters was the top toss, earning her first place. The junior also added a victory in the women’s hammer throw, reaching 56.01 meters, enough
to set a new career record for herself. Bravo’s weekend also brought her fourth WAC-Athlete-of-the-Week honor. The Madrid, Spain native won the award three times in March. In the triple jump, Leocajuan Williams a senior from The Woodlands, Texas, tied her career-high of 11.86 meters, which brought home another first place for the Broncs. She also placed second in the long jump with her distance of 5.56 meters, her best of the season. In running, Jermica Lee’s 15.72 spring and Rebekah Rodriguez’s time of 2:19.84 earned second in the 100-meter and 800-meter runs, respectively.
MEN A win was also secured by Javier Carretero, a junior out of Montijo, Spain. His hammer throw of 57.87 meters was his best of the season. Teammate Trey Taylor finished third with 45.64 meters in the same event. Second place efforts were abundant with runner-ups going to Isaac Samuels in men’s
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WHAT’S NEXT Any momentum gained in tournaments against schools in the region thus far will be taken to the West Coast when both the men and women compete around Southern California for three days March 16-18. The meets serve as the one-month warning until the WAC championship taking place mid-May. Richardson says the California trip provides opportunity to face strong competition from all over the country. “We’re always excited to get out to California for the competition that this weekend provides,” Richardson said. “You get a chance to compete against the best in the nation -not just the west coast teams -, and it always tends to bring out the best in our competitors.” The meets will see them compete in Los Angeles, Walnut and Cerritos this weekend before returning to the Lone Star State for the Fred Duckett
Track and Field compete in busy outdoor season
Jon Nutt/ The Pan American Senior Leocajuan Williams won the triple jump after tying a careerbest mark of 11.86 meters at the Islander Dash April 11.
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4/23/15 Renee Alicia Rangel/ The Pan American