The El Paso Community College (EPCC) Cross Country teams kicked off their 2025 season with the 39th annual Lori Fitzgerald Memorial Open. Competing at the New Mexico State Golf Course in Las Cruces on August 30, the men's and women's teams faced a challenging field, including runners from schools such as the University of New Mexico and Texas Tech University. According to EPCC News, the women's team, defending their NJCAA bronze medal in the Half Marathon, placed fifth with standout performances from their runners.
Freshman Nhamoinesu "Toddy" Mabvuka quickly emerged to assertively take third place with a time of 17:40, leading the EPCC women, known as Tejanas, in the race. Meanwhile, Antonia Ronoh, an All-American in the previous year, clocked in at 19:23, ensuring her team a fifth-place finish. The men's team had to contend with a strong lineup of competitors, managing to secure a sixth-place team finish. Sophomore Julian Guerra from San Elizario High School and freshman Pedro Jimenez of Austin High School led the charge for the Tejanos, finishing 31st and 35th with times of 14:49 and 15:59, respectively.
Reflecting on past accomplishments, the EPCC men's team holds the title of the last season's Region V Cross Country Championship winners, and they, along with the women's team, who finished second, both made impressive showings at the NJCAA National Championships in Richmond, Virginia. The Tejanas finished seventh overall, later grabbing a bronze medal at the NJCAA Half Marathon just three days after the national competition. Returning players such as 2024 All-American Antonia Ronoh and sophomores Hannah Martinez and Sofia Ramirez, who also ran at the Nationals, bring experience to the women's team roster.
The EPCC men return five from the previous year, ready to once again fiercely compete, including El Paso High's Joaquin Moya and Aydan Lugo, who participated in the NJCAA Half Marathon National Championship. The teams are now gearing up to next face their rivals at the UNM Lobo Cross Country Invitational, taking place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on September 13. This event marks the next step on their journey towards the season's climax, the NJCAA Region V Championships set to be held on October 25 in Hobbs, New Mexico. Qualifying members will aim to then advance to the NJCAA National Championships in Fort Dodge, Iowa, in November, setting the stage for another chance to solidify their standing and garner new accolades for EPCC.
