Approximately 45 Cadets To Compete In Houston Marathon And Half Marathon

Members of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets Marathon Team will compete Sunday (Jan. 14) in the 35th annual running of the Chevron Houston Marathon and the Aramco Houston Half Marathon.

Among those cadets will be Christopher Ragan. Diagnosed with cancer in 2004, he will be running the Houston Marathon for the third time.

“I started running after I was diagnosed with cancer and have loved running ever since,” he said.

This year, the Corps Marathon Team has increased in number from 16 last year to 45 cadets participating in this year’s marathon. Corps officials also say it is a special year because the team has new uniforms that they will wear during the race to proudly represent the Corps of Cadets.

Lt. Col (Ret.) Rod Matte, advisor to the Corps Marathon Team and Chevron Marathon competitor said, “I am really proud to have been a part of the Corps Marathon team and to have helped these cadets achieve their goals. Their discipline and dedication during long hours of training has finally paid off.”

Cadets run for many different reasons — some for personal fitness, and others, like Ragan, run to prove to themselves that their medical situations will not rule their lives.

Other cadets are inspired to run by their parents, such as Michael Valdez who says, “I have inspiration thanks to my dad…he has always been a great runner and competitor in various marathons. A couple of years ago, he was out on a run and slipped on ice breaking his ankle in multiple places. Now he is no longer able to run long distances and I guess you could say I run the way I do now because of him. I know I’m no Carl Lewis or Michael Johnson, but then again, I don’t run for the placement at then finish line….I run for the feeling I get because I’m blessed from God to run the way I do.”

The Chevron Houston Marathon is the nation’s premier winter marathon, annually attracting participants from all 50 U.S. states and nearly 20 foreign countries, organizers say. The Chevron Houston marathon offers the only closed marathon course in Texas and is ranked among the top five in the nation by the Ultimate Guide to Marathons for fastest course, organization and crew support.

Members of the Corps that will compete in the Chevron Houston marathon and Aramco Houston half marathon are: Arthur Hernandez, Sarah Rivas, Jada Ching, Ben Weiner, Tyler Reed, Jonathon Brydie, Erin Kinne, Chris Ragan, Joe Kilianski, Miguel Garcia, Mary Formanek, Steven Rendon, Cody Miklus , Chris Felleisen, Mike DeSa, Chris Miller, Eric DeBerry, Michael Valdez, Boon Bowling, Robert Golden, Andrew Mambretti (Team Captain), Nathan Fluker, Alec Pourteau, Micah McDonald, Stephen Carl, Kirk Keller, Jeff Archer, Zach Baskara, Reese Bruechner, Cody Cruz, Ben Carter, Jerremy Duggns, Tyson Hann, Jestin Hasop, Sean Kenne, Brent Lanier, Mike Parrot, Savannah Pena, Anthony Peters, John Pulvino, Brian Reeves, Jordan Robertson, Josh Stokes, Neil Wessels, and Colin York.

CUTLINE:

Front Row: Lt Col Matte (Advisor), Arthur Hernandez, Sarah Rivas, Jada Ching, Ben Weiner

Second Row: Tyler Reed, Jonathon Brydie, Erin Kinne, Chris Ragan, Joe Kilianski, Miguel Garcia

Third Row: Mary Formanek, Steven Rendon, Cody Miklus , Chris Felleisen

Fourth Row: Mike DeSa, Chris Miller, Eric DeBerry, Michael Valdez, Boon Bowling, Robert Golden

Fifth Row: Andrew Mambretti (Team Captain), Nathan Fluker, Alec Pourteau, Micah McDonald, Stephen Carl, Kirk Keller

Not Pictured: Jeff Archer, Zach Baskara, Reese Bruechner, Cody Cruz, Ben Carter, Jerremy Duggns, Tyson Hann, Jestin Hasop, Sean Kenne, Brent Lanier, Mike Parrot, Savannah Pena, Anthony Peters, John Pulvino, Brian Reeves, Jordan Robertson, Josh Stokes, Neil Wessels, Colin York