UIW’s Ruvalcaba Cruz to Represent Mexico in World University Games

Photo courtsey of UIW Sports Information Department

The sophomore qualified for the 400 IM and may also compete in the 200 IM

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (July 24, 2017) UIW sophomore swimmer, Hector Ruvalcaba Cruz, qualified in the 400 IM and will represent Mexico at the 2017 World University Games, held Aug. 19-30 in Taipei, Taiwan.

“I am beyond glad that I got an opportunity like this,” said Ruvalcaba Cruz. “I am very proud to represent UIW and my country at my first big international competition. I am excited to see what I can do next month!”

“Hector is a jack of all trades,” stated head coach Phillip Davis. “He is the anomaly of a swimmer. He works really hard; he arrives early and leaves late. He deserves all the attention he is getting.”

It has been quite a year for Ruvalcaba Cruz. The Tijuana Baja, Calif., native, who was born in Monterrey, Mexico, was named the CCSA Most Outstanding Male Freshman and CCSA Scholar All-America. He was a two-time champion at the conference championships: 400 Fly (3:52.90) and 200 Fly (1:46.35), while finishing second in the 200 IM (1:49.18).

He finished first overall in the men’s 200 Butterfly at the CCSA Conference Championships last February with a time of 1:47.00. Earlier in the season, Ruvalcaba Cruz led all swimmers in the men’s 400 IM with a time of 4:02.00 against Texas A&M on Oct. 19. He also posted the second-best time in the men’s 200 IM with 1:53.36 at the Little Rock Invitational.

“Hector is very close to being in the A standard as being in the Top 50 in the world,” said Davis. “That would give him access to any meet, including the Olympics. UIW swimming and diving has been very fortunate to have two student-athletes on the Mexican National Team. Daniel Torres was the first in 2015-16, but Hector is the first student-athlete in program history to be on the national team while still in school at UIW.”

The Universiade competition is biennial. The 2015 event was hosted by Gwangju, South Korea, and the 2019 Games are scheduled to be in Naples, Italy.

The 400 IM will be held on Day 6 of the swimming events, on Aug. 26, while the 200 IM will be held on either Aug. 22 or 23. The swimming events will be held at the National Taiwan Sport University Arena. Please visit https://www.2017.taipei/home for the most up-to-date information on the Games.