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Vernon Ruiz enters his second year at George Mason University as a volunteer assistant coach for the men's track and field/cross country team. He helped the Patriots achieve a third-place finish at the CAA Cross Country Championships during his first season as a coach. Prior to joining the staff at George Mason, Ruiz served as an assistant coach at Chico State from 2004-06. During his time at Chico State, Ruiz guided three athletes to school records and multiple athletes to top-10 school performances. Wildcat track and field/cross country athletes earned a total of 15 All-America honors while Ruiz coached at the school. Before becoming a coach, Ruiz competed for the Chico State men's track and field/cross country team from 1999-2004. He was a five-time All-California Collegiate Athletic Association performer and an All-Region performer in cross country. He placed 43rd at the 2003 NCAA Cross Country Championships and provisionally qualified for the NCAA Championships in the 5000-meter run during the indoor season. He helped the Wildcats to four top-10 team finishes at the NCAA Cross Country Championships during his career, including a fourth-place finish in 2003. A native of Elk Grove, Calif., Ruiz is a 2004 graduate of Chico State University with a bachelor's degree in religious studies, with an emphasis on ethics. He is currently pursuing his master's degree at George Mason in professional ethics. |
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