The El Paso Community College (EPCC) Cross Country teams made a definitive impact at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Cross Country National Championships, with the women's team securing two All-American honors. According to EPCC News, freshman Nhamoinesu 'Tadi' Mabvuka finished fifth overall with a time of 18:12, and sophomore Antonia Ronoh came in 11th with a time of 18:50 at the event held at the Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
While showing remarkable prowess in their strides, the EPCC women's team claimed fourth place overall, garnering 143 points. They followed behind teams like the champion Odessa, which racked up 54 points, as well as Iowa Western and Hutchinson, holding 127 and 141 points, respectively. With her finishing time, Antonia Ronoh has notably achieved All-American status for the second consecutive year.
The men's EPCC team, although not attaining the heights of their female counterparts, concluded the meet in 22nd place, amassing 582 points in the process. The team's lead runner, sophomore Julian Guerra, secured the 54th place with a time of 27:03, followed closely by Bryan Hernandez, who finished in the 107th place, clocking in at 28:15. The victors of the men's competition were Iowa Central, who took home the trophy with an impressive 58 points, outstripping Hutchinson at second place with 69 points.
The follow-up event for both the men's and women's teams will be the NJCAA Half Marathon National Championships, set to take place on November 11. Hosted once again at the Lakeside Golf Course, it will perhaps offer a chance for redemption and further glory. In terms of national rankings, the women's team of EPCC holds a revered third-place ranking with 230 points, trailing just behind Odessa College and Iowa Western, who boast 250 and 240 points, respectively.
