SAN ANGELO, Texas – Angelo State's Chrystal Ruiz placed third in the pentathlon and added a seventh All-America honor to her impressive career at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships held in Mankato, Minn.
                                         
“All in all it was a really good meet,” Ruiz said, “The announcer kept saying this person is hitting a personal best or this person just broke this record. It was a good year. I had four personal best marks and I am not down but it is bittersweet. I can't wear the Angelo State uniform again or win a national title. I can't downgrade anything because I have accomplished a lot and got to wear the Angelo State uniform.”
 
Ruiz first event of the day was the women's pentathlon. The graduate student started the day off well running an 8.63 in the 60-meter hurdles for 989 points. The high jump was next and Ruiz added 891 points by clearing 5'-8” (1.73m). A throw of 34'-00.75” (10.38m) scored Ruiz 554 points and put her into third place.
 
“The pride I take in wearing that uniform,” Ruiz said she will remember about her career at Angelo State. “A lot of people don't realize it until it is over. I got to wear it and have had great success. I have All-America honors, national titles and had significant personal improvements and I can't say enough what Angelo State has done for me and hopefully I have left a mark as well. I was upset about being in third but really what got me was when I took the uniform off. I can't say enough about what coach (James) Reid and coach (Tom) Dibbern have done for me over the years and the time they have invested in me.”
 
The Bandera native just fouled a big long jump mark but was able to score 765 points with a jump of 18'-9.25” (5.72m) going into the final event the 800-meter. Ruiz made her last event count as she ran the fastest 800-meter time at 2:21.06           and score 809 points. The 4,008 points was just behind Erin Alewine's 4,134 points in second and Lindsay Lettow's winning score of 4,193 points.
 
“Obviously we are extremely proud of what Chrystal did today,” head coach James Reid said. “It was an overall personal best score and she had three of five personal-best marks in the individual events. She did as much as she could and scored over 4,000 points and hit a benchmark. I couldn't be more proud of her”
 
Ruiz a short time after the end of the pentathlon competed in the high jump. She cleared 5'-6.50” (1.69m) and placed 10^th overall.
 
In her career, Ruiz was named All-American seven times and won two NCAA Division II national championships. The Rambelles finished tied for 22^nd place with six points. Grand Valley State won the women's national title with a score of 94 points.
 
“I think the one thing that made her special is she has always been a team player,” Reid said of Ruiz. “She was excited to be here but wanted her teammates with her. One of the most sobering moments was when she took that uniform off. She chocked up and it was hard for her. That is one thing that will stay in my mind and that she always wanted to help the team and Angelo State. In time we will be able to talk about the great career she has had and what amazing things she has done. She will be one of those names that will always be talked about with what she has been able to accomplish.”