Gilbert "Gillie" Lopez 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 West Las Vegas High School senior standout Gilbert “Gillie” Lopez to a National Letter-of-Intent to run for the Greyhounds next season. Lopez, from Las Vegas, N.M., will be a freshman at ENMU during the 2005-06 academic year. He is the son of Danny and Lisa Lopez.

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.

Lopez possesses outstanding athletic and academic credentials. He was one of the top five senior finishers at New Mexico Class 3A State Championships in 2004, when he and finished ninth overall. He has received numerous accolades for his athletic and academic achievements, including: Top 10 in his senior class; State Qualifier in cross country, 2002, 2003, 2004; Took fifth at State as a sophomore, when he also anchored the medley relay to a third place finish; All-District Cross Country Team, 2003 and 2004; District Champion in the 800-meter run, the mile and the 4 x 400-meter relay; Anchor of the State Championship medley relay team; Great Southwest Track & Field Classic invitee (teams from 8 states) who finished fourth in the 4 x 800- meter relay; New Mexico Junior Olympic Champion in the 800-meter run and the 4 x 800-meter relay, and second place finisher in the mile.

“Being able to get Gillie into this program was a significant accomplishment,” McMullen said. “He looked at several schools and was being heavily recruited by New Mexico Highlands.

“Gillie had an outstanding high school career in and out of the classroom and he has some wonderful and supportive parents in Lisa and Danny,” McMullen added. “It is a joy to have them join our family here at Eastern. Gillie’s athletic prowess will help take this program beyond where it has been in many, many years. Having him on board is a real positive for the team’s future.”

Gilbert "Gillie" Lopez
Las Vegas, New Mexico
West Las Vegas High School