Derek Henio Signs National Letter-of-Intent with ENMU Men's Cross Country Team

PORTALES, N.M. — Eastern New Mexico University head cross country coach Joel McMullen has announced the signing of Pine Hill High School senior Derek Henio to a National Letter-of-Intent to run for the Greyhounds next season. Henio, from Pine Hill, N.M., will be a freshman during the 2005-06 academic year. He is the son of Dennison and Vikky Henio.

McMullen and his assistant coach, Matthew Gordillo, have recruited to rebuild and add depth to both the men’s and women’s cross country teams for the upcoming season, focusing primarily on the tremendous amount of talented runners throughout New Mexico. The ENMU men’s cross country squad finished fifth in the Lone Star Conference and 13th in the NCAA South Central Regional in 2004.

Henio brings to ENMU tremendous athletic and academic credentials. His awards include: English and Science Award, 2003; Student of the Month and Student of the Year, 2002-03; U.S. American Scholar, 2003-05; National Honor Society, 2003-05; Selected for Who’s Who in Sports, 2002-05; National Certificate of Recognition for Top Junior Athlete; State qualifier in cross country, 2000-2004; Top 20 at State in 2002; District Champion and 10th at State Championships, 2003; Navajo Times Area All-Star Team Member; District Runner-up, 2004; Eighth place at State Championships, 2004; Team Captain; New Mexico All-State Harrier Team Member; Captain of varsity basketball team at Pine Hill; Member of the All-District Basketball Team and NTUA Sportsmanship Award winner, 2004; Captain of track and field team; Extensive involvement and multiple awards for livestock showing/judging with 4-H and the FFA.

“Signing Derek is a big step for the ENMU cross country team,” McMullen stated. “We made it a top priority to recruit in northwestern New Mexico, and Derek is a product of that commitment. There are some very talented student-athletes up there who have not been actively recruited by ENMU in some time. Derek’s desire to come to Eastern is hopefully an indication to all those young student-athletes that hard work and dedication in high school can lead to great rewards.

“Hopefully, this is the first step in establishing a recruiting ‘pipeline’ between ENMU and northwest New Mexico,” McMullen added. “Derek is 100% Navajo and has a work ethic and an inner fire that is rarely seen today. His family raised a great young man and I know he will be a tremendous asset to this program. I am so grateful and proud that he and his family entrusted us with this young man’s future.”

Derek Henio
Pine Hill, New Mexico
Pine Hill High School