SAN ANTONIO – Following a first-place finish at the 13^th annual UIW Invitational last weekend, senior Garett Cortez has been named the Southland Conference Men's Cross Country Player of the Week, the conference office announced Tuesday.
 
This is the first player of the week award for UIW cross country this season and the second career recognition for Cortez, who won the award in 2016 after yet another victory at the 11^th annual UIW Invitational.
 
Cortez led the 13th annual UIW Invitational from the moment the starting gun went off. He set an aggressive pace in difficult, 95 percent humidity, conditions, leading his team to its second team title of the season. He finished with a personal time of 25:18.8. Cortez showcased his leadership skills throughout the race, keeping his teammates packed behind him, while setting a pace that no other team could match on the Cardinal's home course. 
 
By the final mile, Cortez flashed his skill and pulled away from his teammates to finish 35 seconds ahead of the next fastest runner. He ran at a 5:05 mile pace throughout the meet to secure his third top 10 finish in four meets this season. 
 
The senior will continue to play a major role for UIW as the men's team battles for its first conference title in Lake Charles, Louisiana, at the end of the month.
 
"Garett has always been a very focused and determined individual," head coach Derek Riedel said. "But he's taken it to a different level this year as a senior. He knows his time is limited here at UIW and he wants to leave his mark on this university and with this program. He made it a goal when he came in for us to win a conference title as a team and he's determined to be able to contribute to that while he's here. It's a blessing to have someone like [Garett] on the team."