NMJC Women Win WJCAC and Region V Title
The No. 2 NMJC women's cross country team defeated No. 7 El Paso CC to win the WJCAC and Region V title for the first time in program history.
The Thunderbirds won the Region V Championship with a team total of 25 points, 18 points better than El Paso CC, who finished with a team total score of 43 points. In the WJCAC scoring, NMJC posted a team total score of 25 points, 14 points in front of El Paso CC, who finished with 39 points.
Freshman Damaris Chewon was the top finisher for the Thunderbirds placing second overall in the 5k with a time of 18:29.80. Sophomore runner Letlhogonolo Magoro has continued to rise to the occasion for NMJC finishing in third place with a time of 18:58.10.
Freshman Carolyne Kimaiyo came in fourth running a career-best time of 19:14.10, Daisy Jerop finished in eighth (19:51.50), and Joan Kimalel finished in 10th place rounding out the team scoring with a time of 19:55.40.
The T-Bird women finished with all five scoring runners in the Top 10, earning each of them All-Region honors.
Head coach Jeff Becker was excited for his team as they made history on Saturday.
"It was a great accomplishment to win both the Region V Championship and WJCAC title for the first time," Becker said. "What has really helped us with the women's team is the depth we've had this year. Seven of our runners were in the top 13 at this meet on Saturday, which is what we needed to win it."
"Carolyne Kimaiyo had a great meet for the ladies finishing as our third runner and finishing fourth overall in the meet," Becker said. "She's typically been our number seven runner, so I am happy she had a great day for us."
"If we continue to run as a group and continue to perform well, we should have a great shot at nationals next week in Tallahassee," Becker said.
The NMJC women's cross country team will travel to Tallahassee, Fla. next week to run in the NJCAA Cross Country Nationals at Apalachee Regional Park on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 10:15 a.m. ET. The women will race in the Half Marathon on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 9 a.m. in Tallahassee, Fla. as well.
