Led by freshmen Stephanie Aldea and Nate Pineda, the UH cross-country team has had an excellent start to the season.
The women’s team has won all three meets so far and the men have placed fourth or better. Both teams finished first overall in the Johnny Morriss UH Invitational in August. Both Aldea and Pineda were named Conference USA Cross Country Athletes of the Week after their performances. The emergence of Aldea and Pineda has been a critical part of the Cougars’ early success.
Aldea was named the Female C-USA Cross Country Athlete of the Week for the second time this season on Tuesday after she finished first overall in the LSU Tiger Festival in Baton Rouge, LA. on Saturday.
"Our women are hungry right now and they’re excited about the success they’ve had," UH head coach Ryan Turner said.
Aldea has placed in the top three three times this season and finished first overall twice, at the Johnny Morriss UH Invitational in Houston in August and the LSU Tiger Festival. She captured third overall at the UTSA Ricardo Romo Invitational in San Antonio in September.
Pineda finished second in the Johnny Morriss UH Invitational and placed third at UTSA. Pineda competed through illness to finish in 20th place at the LSU Tiger Festival.
"I get asthma, and it prevents me from breathing clearly," Pineda said. "Plus, my allergies hit me pretty good."
Pineda graduated from Holmes High School in San Antonio, where he was a two-time All-Region performer. He was the first runner in the school’s history to win the cross country Regionals.
Pineda also broke the school record for a mile with a time of 4:18 and set the 3-mile record of 15:30.
What makes Pineda even more astonishing is that he did not begin running cross country until his junior year of high school.
"When I started high school, I was all about football and basketball," Pineda said. "Running was the last thing on my mind, but then I dislocated my hip and I had to do something, so I looked to track and cross country."
Despite being recruited by several other universities in Texas, Pineda said his decision was easy.
"The first time I came (to UH) I noticed the history and how beautiful the campus was," Pineda said. "I fell in love … so when they recruited me I thought this must be a dream."
For Aldea, the journey from home to UH is a little longer.
Aldea, who came to UH from Windsor, Ontario, Canada, graduated from St. Anne Secondary in 2008.
"I’ve always been interested in running," Aldea said. "When I started high school, I made the cross country team. I really loved it, and I’ve stuck with it ever since."
She finished third in the 1,500 and 3,000-meter races at the All Ontario Championships, a prestigious event for runners above the border.
Aldea also qualified for the 2008 Canadian Juniors, a competition for the best runners in Canada younger than 19 years old. She chose not to participate so she could better prepare herself for her first season at UH.
Despite coming to UH from another country, Aldea has adjusted to Houston well. Aldea said the heat and humidity of the city was shocking at first, but she’s beginning to adapt.
"I really like Texas," Aldea said. "It’s a big change from back home, but I’m meeting a lot of new people."
Even though she is enjoying becoming familiar with Houston, Aldea remembers her roots when she runs.
"Last year, one of the students at my school passed away," Aldea said. "He was drafted into the NHL, and it was devastating. Before every race I pray and ask him to give me strength."
Because she is inspired by her father who is involved in several businesses in Canada, Aldea chose to major in business.
"Houston’s known for its great business program," Aldea said, "and you have to think about academics as well as athletics."
Aldea said one of the most important factors in the success of the UH cross-country team is the relationship Turner has with the runners.
"Coach Turner is an amazing coach," Aldea said. "He’s like a father figure to all of us. He’s passionate about what he does and I think he can bring a lot of success to this program."
Pineda agrees that Turner’s experience makes him an understanding and empathetic coach.
"[Turner] knows what he’s doing," Pineda said. "He knows where we’re coming from because he’s been what we’ve been through."
Turner said the freshmen have had an immediate impact on the team and that the Cougars will continue to build on their early success in the season.
"(They’ve) all stepped in and done a great job and added more depth to the program," Turner said. "The kids understand this is a place where people win, and establishing that winning attitude is important."
The Cougars will compete in the Walt Disney World Cross Country Classic in Orlando, Fla. on Oct. 11. The men’s race will start at 7:45 a.m., and the women will attempt to keep their win-streak going at 8:30 a.m.
