Tomas Vega Breaks Records at NMJC Invitational III, MXC Wins for 5th Time
October 13, 2023

Tomas Vega Breaks Records at NMJC Invitational III, MXC Wins for 5th Time

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The New Mexico Junior College men's cross country team picked up their fifth win of the season at Harry McAdams Park with a team score of 22 points.

Tomas Vega was the star of the NMJC Invitational III after breaking the 8k school record previously held by his brother German Vega. Tomas blistered through the course with ease setting the 8k Harry McAdams Park course record with a 23:20.34 finish. The sophomore came across the line a full minute faster than in the NMJC Invitational III.

German Vega previously set the 8k school record with a time of 23:34.10 at the SPC Invite on Sept. 30, 2022. German ran a career-best 23:27.82 at Friday's meet. The time is 53.78 seconds quicker than last week's meet and is second all-time for the Harry McAdams Park course record.    

Sophomore Alex Keter was the third runner for the T-Birds to reach the finish line. Keter came in fifth place with a time of 24:47.88. Sophomore Marc Pauvert was right behind Keter in sixth place with a time of 25:30.61.

Freshman Paul Maurer rounded out the team score with an eighth-place finish of 25:47.93. Freshman Cyprien Bille came in 16th place (26:42.68).

Freshman Wilson Navarrete did not race due to injury.

"Tomas is having a great season so far," men's cross country head coach Jeff Becker said. "His race at the NMJC Invitational III was fantastic considering the windy conditions he faced. He along with all his teammates will be very important as we finish the season."

The Thunderbirds aim to win their first men's cross country Region V title since 2021 on Saturday, Oct. 28. 

"The men are looking good going into regionals," Becker said. "We will have our full team running and are looking to have great success next Saturday." 

The Thunderbird men stay ranked No. 1 for the second consecutive week in the USTFCCCA NJCAA DI Men's Cross Country National Coaches' Poll (Week 3).

The T-Birds will have one week off before they prepare for the Regional V Championships at Harry McAdams Park in Hobbs, NM. The meet will start for the men at 9:30 a.m. MDT on Saturday, Oct. 28.