T-Birds (MXC) is Perfect for 2nd Time this Year
The NMJC men's cross country team finished with a perfect score at the inaugural ENMU-Ruidoso Open 8k on Friday, Oct. 3.
NMJC navigated the high altitude and hilly terrain this week in Ruidoso, NM. Mohammed Mrahi led the pack with a 27:55.00 to finish in first place at the Inn of the Mountain Gods. This is Mrahi's second straight win and fourth win of his career.
"The team took on the challenge and performed really well," NMJC men's cross country head coach Jeff Becker said. "You know, I thought I couldn't have been happier with the way that they accepted the challenge and took it on, and just all the different excuses they could have had to why they didn't run well with the hills and altitude, but they went out there and performed well and it was a fun little meet."
Sophomore Alexandre Fablet had a career-best finish coming runner-up with a time of 28:13.00. Emmanuel Kimaiyo placed third Friday with a finish of 28:47.00.
Addiso Bitew returned from injury to run a 29:03.00 and place fourth. Elmehdi Bouchouata rounded out the team score with a fifth-place finish as he crossed the finish line in 29:06.00.
Freshman Ronald Jecky finished the 8k in ninth place at 29:45.00. Israel Takap was one spot behind in 10th place running a 30:27.00. Nathan Bonavida ran a 31:49.00 to come in 12th place. Freshman Rayane Courtois finished in 15th place with a time of 32:35.00.
Killian LeBourhis and Erwan Darrieulat did not race due to injury.
"I think depth is going to be great for us come the next few meets," Coach Becker said. "We've got some guys that have been running up front all year long like Mohammed and Brian that are still running well, but we've got other guys moving up now like Alex and I think that's only going to make us a stronger team come regionals and nationals."
NMJC will compete next in the Thunderbird Open at 9:45 a.m. MDT Friday, Oct. 10 at Harry McAdams Park in Hobbs, NM.
