Jeff Becker Named West Region Women’s XC Coach of the Year

NMJC cross country head coach Jeff Becker was named the West Region Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year on Friday, Nov. 11.

Under Becker's direction, the Thunderbird women won the WJCAC and Region V title for the first time in program history this year at Harry McAdams Park on Oct. 29.

"Earning the West Region Coach of the Year as well as the conference coach of the year for the women was a great accomplishment mainly because it reflects on how well the ladies did this year," Becker said. "To me a coach's award always shows well on how the team performed."

Coach Becker helped guide freshman Damaris Chewon, sophomore Letlhogonolo Magoro, freshman Carolyne Kimaiyo, sophomore Daisy Jerop, and sophomore Joan Kimalel to All-Region honors.

In Tallahassee, Becker's runners earned four NJCAA All-American honors and three USTFCCCA All-American honors. 

Damaris Chewon led coach Becker's team with NJCAA All-American honors in the 5k Cross Country Championships and NJCAA Half-Marathon as well as USTFCCCA All-American honors in both events in Tallahassee, Fla.  

Letlhogonolo "Nolo" Magoro and Joan Kimalel earned NJCAA All-American honors with their performance in the 5k Cross Country Championships. Daisy Jerop earned USTFCCCA All-American honors for the runner-up T-Birds in the 5k race.

Carolyne Kimaiyo and Daisy Jerop earned USTFCCCA All-American honors for the half-marathon on Tuesday Nov. 15 for the runner-up Thunderbirds.

Now in his 13th year as the cross country head coach for NMJC, Becker has steered the T-Birds into a tie with the 2019 team for highest finish (2nd) in school history at the NJCAA Women's Cross Country Championships.

Becker led the women to their best half-marathon finish in school history with a runner-up finish to Iowa Central on Tuesday, Nov. 15.