Jimmy Balmer ran cross-country at UTA from 1988-1993 and won the Southland Conference individual title in 1990.
Balmer, the school’s three-mile run record holder, took a break from running after college, but decided to get back into running five years ago after gaining 40 pounds – a decision that inspired his daughter, freshman Bailey Balmer.
“I started running in the eighth grade, because my dad got back into running after taking a long break,” Bailey Balmer said. “I was really inspired by him getting back into it.”
Bailey Balmer joined her high school cross-country team, which went on to win back-to-back state championships.