On a brisk autumn day in Hobbs, New Mexico, the El Paso Community College (EPCC) Cross Country teams made their mark at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region V Championships. Competing at Harry McAdams Park on Saturday, the women's team, fondly known as Tejanas, clinched a notable second-place finish with 56 points, just behind Odessa College, which led with 24 points. Nhamoinesu 'Toddy' Mabvuka spearheaded the charge, completing the women's 5K race in 18:00, securing fourth place overall, as reported by EPCC News.
Following Mabvuka were teammates Antonia Ronoh and Faith Rotich, who completed the race in 18:22 and 18:42, respectively, finishing 8th and 11th in the individual standings. With the prowess of delicate steel, the women's team has earned qualification for the upcoming NJCAA Cross Country and Half Marathon National Championships set for Fort Dodge, Iowa, between November 8-11, as EPCC News reports.
EPCC's men's team, the Tejanos, while not securing the podium, finished in a respectable seventh position in their 8K contest, tallying 149 points. They followed front-runners New Mexico JC and Odessa College, which amassed 32 and 85 points, respectively. Leading the EPCC men was Julian Guerra, who took 22nd place with a time of 25:40, closely followed by Bryan Hernandez, clocking in at 25:46 for 23rd place, according to EPCC News.
Narrating the team's experience, EPCC Athletic Director and Cross Country coach Felix Hinojosa reflected, "Endurance and perseverance are the core of cross-country running. It's not just about speed, but the ability to push through exhaustion, pain, and self-doubt, and our women's team has proved it through and through," in a statement shared by EPCC News. Both men's and women's teams will advance to the National Championships in Iowa, carrying with them not just the hope of victory, but the recognition of their rigorous dedication and the spirit of the Southwest behind them.
