University's 6th Annual Dusty Fun Run & Walk Posts Record Success

Texas A&M International University's Sixth Annual Dusty Fun Run and Walk benefiting student scholarships posted its largest participation to date with over 230 runners and walkers participating.

Dr. Charles Jennett, president of A&M International, said the University appreciates the community's commitment to helping raise funds for student scholarships.

"We are delighted with the response from the community. At A&M International, we strive to attract the best and brightest students. In order to achieve this goal, we need to provide our students with the necessary financial support to pursue their academic endeavors. With the partnership of our community, we can assure that all A&M International students can receive the assistance they need," Dr. Jennett said.

He noted that corporate sponsors are also helping the University to assure that no student is denied a four-year University education because of financial barriers and he saluted their support of this effort.

Corporate sponsors for the 2000 Dusty Fun Run and Walk included: Charter Member NBC Bank; Extreme Sponsors: Falcon International Bank, Wells Fargo-Laredo, SOL Communications, Mejia Engineering, Sprint PCS, Popeyes of Laredo; Iron Man Sponsor: Mercy Health Plans; Performance Sponsors: Sanchez Oil and Gas, and The Pain Management Clinic of Laredo. The Refreshment and Gift Sponsors are Coca-Cola Bottling of Laredo, Follett Bookstores, Cavazos Candy Produce and Grocery Wholesale Inc., the Holiday Inn Civic Center, and Hampton Inn.

Participants in the event could choose from a non-competitive 2-mile Fun Walk or competitive 5K or 10K runs.

The winner of the Overall Male 5K Best of Race was Benny Rodriguez with a time of 15:52.

Overall Female 5K Best of Race went to Jessica Gamez, finishing at 20:06.

The Overall Male 10K Best of Race went to Efrain Velazquez with a time of 31:42.

Overall Female 10K Best of Race was awarded to Maribel Garcia with a finishing time of 45:12.

Participants receiving trophies for first, second, and third places in various categories for both 5K and 10K are as follows:

5 K, Male

Male 12 and Under

1. Abram Renteria

2. Mathew Castleman

3. George Chandarlis

Male 13-16

1. Julian Mendoza

2. Brant Stock

3. Roel Medina

Male 17-20

1. Eric Rivas

2. Mark Vela

3. Jesse Moreno

Male 21-29

1. Benny Rodriguez

2. Agustin Contreras Jr.

3. Enrique Jaureguy

Male 30-39

1. Oscar A. Vela Jr.

2. Andy Saldivar

3. J.L. Gonzalez

Male 40-49

1. Garry Unzeitig

2. Ramon Gutierrez

3. John McJunkin

Male 50-59

1. Richard Hughes

2. Elias Mendiola

3. Ramiro Barrera

Male 60-69

1. Frank McKinnis

2. Richard McCoy

      No third place awarded.

Male 70 and Above

1. George Bennet

      No second place awarded.

      No third place awarded.

5 K, Female

Female 12 and Under

1. Krystal Dickenson

2. Hannah Somerville

3. Violeta Ruiz

Female 13-16

1. Jessica Gamez

2. Heather Hanking

3. Loraine Garcia

Female 17-20

1. Trishna Stock

2. Sophia Esquivel

3. Gloria Rio

Female 21-29

1. Melissa Martinez

2. Cecilia Iniquez

3. Alejandra Santiago

Female 30-39

1. Cristina Alarcon

2. Melanie Somerville

3. Lila Stock

Female 40-49

1. Gloria Cruz

2. Odulia Gomez

3. Mary Gutierrez

Female 50-59

      No first place awarded.

      No second place awarded.

      No third place awarded.

Female 60-69

      No first place awarded.

      No second place awarded.

      No third place awarded.

Female 70 and Above

1. Ilse Lehr

      No second place awarded.

      No third place awarded.

10K, Male

Male 12 and Under

1. Cordero Priori

      No second place awarded.

      No third place awarded.

Male 13-16

1. Izak Gonzalez

2. Roberto Pliego

      No third place awarded.

Male 17-20

1. Jose Burrola

2. John Wesley McJunkin

3. Cesar Bañuelos

Male 21-29

1. Efrain Velazquez

2. Victor Moreno

3. Juan P. Sandoval

Male 30-39

1. Juan Sotello

2. Rodolfo Mendoza

3. Javier Villa

Male 40-49

1. Francisco Reyes

2. Hector Velasquez

3. Richard Sames

Male 50-59

1. Arturo De Luna

2. Alfredo Zarate

3. Felipe Esparza

Male 60-69

1. Eduardo Gonzalez

      No second place awarded.

      No third place awarded.

Male 70 and Above

1. Ignazio Garcia Jr.

      No second place awarded.

      No third place awarded.

10K, Female

Female 12 and Under

      No first place awarded.

      No second place awarded.

      No third place awarded.

Female 13-16

      No first place awarded.

      No second place awarded.

      No third place awarded.

Female 17-20

      No first place awarded.

      No second place awarded.

      No third place awarded.

Female 21-29

1. Elisa Lopez

      No second place awarded.

      No third place awarded.

Female 30-39

1. Patricia Laurel

      No second place awarded.

      No third place awarded.

Female 40-49

1. Maribel Garcia

      No second place awarded.

      No third place awarded.

Female 50-59

      No first place awarded.

      No second place awarded.

      No third place awarded.

Female 60-69

      No first place awarded.

      No second place awarded.

      No third place awarded.

Female 70 and Above

      No first place awarded.

      No second place awarded.

      No third place awarded.

Next year's Seventh Annual Dusty Fun Run and Walk for Student Scholarships at Texas A&M International University has been scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 10, 2001.

For additional information, please contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at 326-2168.

University office hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu