Rolando Avila 
EDINBURG – Shareese Hicks and Welsey Penberthy are rallying the valley by joining the coaching staff of the UTRGV Track & Field and Cross-Country teams.
Hicks, joining as the Head Coach, made her decision after seeing the university and its community firsthand.
“This is really truly a hidden gem,” Hicks shared. “I was like, ‘Hey, I need to be a part of that. I would love to lead that program.’”
Penberthy, who will be joining as an Assistant Coach focusing on mid-distance and distance running said he made his decision to join after speaking with Hicks about her vision for the program.
“After that first phone call I was sold,” Penberthy said. “I believe in everything that Coach Hicks is doing, and I believe that she’s a phenomenal leader.”
Hicks and Penberthy each have over ten years of experience competing and coaching in Track & Field/Cross Country. All those years of experience have molded unique coaching styles.
Both Hicks and Penberthy agree that an athlete’s performance in competition is directly affected by their performance in the classroom. If a student is taken care of academically, then the on-field performance begins to take care of itself.
UTRGV Athletics Track & Field/Cross Country Team will also be hiring another coach that will be focusing on jump and combined events.
Click on the video below to watch the full story.
