Throughout the past year, three former Madera cross country and track athletes have excelled in their time at UC Merced, earning top marks on the track and in the classroom.
Irene Martinez, Jr.
The former Matilda Torres standout was on the spring Dean’s List at UC Merced. She was the Bobcats’ top runner in all four cross country meets she ran in last year.
She also became the first underclassman to lead the Bobcats in a cross country conference championship race since 2021.
This year, she was nominated for UC Merced’s Georgette “Ma” Kelley Female Athlete of the year.
She holds the third best six-kilometer time in track (22:52.8), and is also third in the 5,000 meters with a time of 18:45.40. She is eighth in program history in the 1,500 meters with a time of 5:09.54.
Buffalo Soito, Soph.
The former Toro earned top five marks in track in the 1,500 meters with a time of 3:59.04, and the 5,000 meters, with a time of 15:28.83.
He has yet to make his cross country debut for UC Merced.
Vicente Velarde
Leading both the cross country and track teams are former Madera Coyote standout Vicente Velarde.
The Bobcats recently made the merger from NAIA into NCAA Division II, and Velarde’s track and cross country teams led the charge.
One of his runners won the conference steeplechase title and one of his sprinter earned conference Athlete of the Week honors.
Velarde also owns eight Cal Pac Coach of the Year honors.