The El Paso Community College (EPCC) cross country teams showed their mettle this past weekend at the Lobo XC Invitational in Albuquerque, New Mexico. According to EPCC News, the women's team clinched the top spot with a total of 21 points, leaving the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) to take second place with 36 points. Northern New Mexico trailed in third, amassing 75 points. Strides ahead for the Tejanas was Nhamoinesu 'Toddy' Mabvuka, a freshman blazing through the 5K finish line in 18 minutes flat.
While the women's triumph is the talk of the season, the EPCC men did not fare too shabbily either, claiming the third rung on the podium with 85 points. The University of Texas at El Paso men's team stood first with 25 points, and New Mexico State University was hot on their heels, securing second place with 33. Julian Guerra, an EPCC sophomore, clocked in a notable 16:11 time to finish 12th overall, whereas teammate Bryan Hernandez wrapped up the race at 16:19 for 16th place.
The cross country teams have been on a competitive streak, with performances at the Lori Fitzgerald Invitational in Las Cruces, New Mexico, echoing this weekend's outcomes. The EPCC men placed sixth and the women fifth in the previous meet. Mabvuka once again led the pack for the Tejanas with a third-place finish, as reported by EPCC News. Last season was a testament to their growing prowess, with the men's team winning the Region V Cross Country Championship while the women took a close second, both advancing to the NJCAA National Championships.
Next on the calendar for the Tejanos and Tejanas is the New Mexico Highlands University XC Jam, set for September 26 in Las Vegas, New Mexico. There's a buzz of anticipation for the EPCC teams as they build momentum toward the NJCAA Region V Championships in October, which could potentially launch qualifying runners to the National Junior College Athletic Association Men's and Women's Cross Country and Half Marathon National Championships in November, as detailed by the EPCC News.
