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May 29, 2008

CANYON, Texas - Junior college national champion steeplechaser David Barmasai (Iowa Western CC/Eldoret, Kenya) heads a list of five student-athletes who have signed National Letters of Intent to attend West Texas A&M University and run cross country next fall. Joining Barmasai are Jarret Kachel (Garden City CC/Hooker, OK), Jacob Lopez (Canyon HS/Canyon), Jarred Murray (Permian HS/Odessa) and Andrew Striley (Tascosa HS/Amarillo).

Barmasai won the 3000 meter steeplechase junior college national championship on May 16 with a time of 9:13.01. His best time in the event last season was 9:03.43. He also finished fifth at the nationals in the 5000 meter run with a time of 14:45.32. Barmasai was a cross country regional champion with an 8000 meter time of 24:23.90 and placed 11th at the national meet. Additionally, he also claimed second place at the national junior college half-marathon championship with a time of 1:08:29. Barmasai will have three seasons of eligibility remaining in both cross country and track and field and plans to major in Sports and Exercise Science.

Kachel also participated in the junior college track and field national meet. His best time of the spring season was a 1:58.92 in the 800 meters. A native of Hooker, Okla., Kachel is a graduate of Hooker High School and competed in both cross country and track at Garden City Community College. He will be a Biology major, and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Stan Kachel of Hooker, Okla.

Lopez is a Spring 2008 graduate of Canyon High School and was a member of the Eagles' Regional and District cross country championship teams. He clocked a 2:02.12 in the 800 meters this spring, and was 17th in the 3A regional cross country meet last fall with a time of 16:52.63. A business administration major, he is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Lopez of Canyon, Texas.

Murray comes to WTAMU from Odessa Permian High School, where he finished 19th in the 5A Regional meet last fall with a time of 16:03.15. He has run a 10:14.03 in track in the 3200 meter run, and qualified for the 1-5A Regional track meet with a 4:43.37 in the 1600 meter run. Murray will major in Agricultural Communications and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Murray of Odessa, Texas.

Striley is a Spring 2008 graduate from Tascosa High School, where his team has won two straight District cross country titles. He finished fourth in the 2-5A District meet with a time of 16:49.63, and clocked a 16:33.89 at the Regional meet. Striley had a season-best time of 10:28.00 in the 3200 meters. He will be a Music Therapy major at WTAMU and is the son the Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Striley of Amarillo, Texas.

"I am very pleased with the direction in which our program is headed," said head men's cross country coach Paul Sweetgall. "Having track and field on the horizon has provided an immediate boost to our cross country program."

"In David we have a runner of national caliber. We are also excited about working with Jarret, Jacob, Jarred and Andrew, who have plenty of potential. The entire group fits the mold we are trying to develop. They all are excellent students who have been described by their current coaches as hard working, dedicated runners."

The Buffs return seven student-athletes from last season's men's cross country team. The 2008 schedule will begin on August 29 with the annual WTAMU Buffalo Stampede.