PORTALES, NM — The Lone Star Conference released its All-Academic Indoor Track & Field Teams on Friday afternoon, leading up to the league’s championship meet this weekend. Eastern New Mexico University was well represented, with the selections of Ezra Bagwell, Lorenzo Juarez, Coley Norcross and Danee Bustos.
To be eligible for LSC academic honors, student-athletes must carry at least a 3.30 grade point average and have reached sophomore status both athletically and academically. The Academic Athlete of Year award and All-Academic Team are selected from the list of academically qualified players, with the league’s sports information directors voting on the basis of both academic and athletic achievement.
Bagwell received LSC Academic honors last year during the indoor and outdoor segments, while Norcross made LSC All-Academic during the outdoor season. The four selections were the most for an ENMU track & field team during either season segment since the 2008 season (outdoor).
Juarez, a biology major, made the All-Academic team two straight years in cross country. The junior finished 18th in the one-mile run at the Texas Tech Red & Black Open in 4:37.65.
Bagwell, an electric engineering major with a minor in business has been a strong performer for the Hounds over the last few seasons. He placed 10th in the 600m run at University of New Mexico’s Don Kirby Invitational with a time of 1:29.59. Bagwell also was ninth in the pole vault at Texas Tech.
Bustos, a communicative disorders major, is having a strong season for the ENMU women’s team. She took 16th in the 400 m run at the Texas Tech Open with a time of 57.90, and led the 4x400m relay team to a fifth-place finish. Bustos also took 10th in the high jump at the Red & Black Open.
Norcross, an elementary education/special education major, has been a strong performer on both the ENMU women’s track and cross country teams. She took third place in the 5,000m at the Texas Tech Open, with a time of 19:30.86. Norcross also placed sixth at the Red & Black Open in the 3,000m run.
The Eastern New Mexico University indoor track & field teams will compete in this weekends’ Lone Star Conference Championships. The event will start tomorrow and take place at the Texas Tech Sports Performance Center in Lubbock, Texas.
