The PVCC cross country teams opened their 2023 season on Saturday at the 2023 UC Riverside Invitational. The meet, held at the UCR Agriculture Operations Course in Riverside, CA, featured teams from across the western United States, and provided a strong early season test for the Pumas.
The men's team raced first, competing in the 8000m Invitational Section. The Pumas finished 22nd in the 22-team field with 560 points, but were happy with their individual results. "Of course, we would have liked to finish higher in the team standings, but it's very early in the season, and we're not in great racing shape yet," said head coach David Barney. "Every one of our guys ran personal bests, so that's a great sign for what's to come. I'm very pleased with how we ran."
Leading the men was sophomore Nate Pestka. Pestka placed 99th with a time of 25:07.4. Following Pestka were freshman Jaxon Zimmerman, 104th in 25:10.7; sophomore Chaz Miller, 143rd in 25:38.0; freshman Dallon Walker, 155th in 25:45.8; sophomore Jason Lundgren, 163rd in 25:50.4; freshman Jackson Bland, 165th in 25:50.7; sophomore Caleb Villegas, 173rd in 26:01.6; sophomore Oscar Gonzales, 176th in 26:05.2; freshman Peyton Schneider, 196th in 26:32.2; and freshman Jacob Soukup, 199th in 26:43.7. Southern Utah University won the Invitational Section with a score of 41 points with Utah Valley University placing second with 104 points. Unattached runner Habtamu Cheney won the race in a time of 23:35.3.
Because the Invitational Section limited teams to 10 entries, two Pumas ran in the men's 8000m Open Section. Freshman Quentin Davis placed 78th in 26:35.2 and freshman Mario Fernandez placed 134th in 27:25.8.
Paradise Valley's women raced in the 5000m Open Section of the meet and placed 11th out of 21 teams. The Pumas scored 273 points, and following the men's lead, all ran personal best times over the fast 5000m course. "Our women ran very well today", stated Barney, "I'm proud of them for going out and racing! We knew that this meet has always produced fast times, but I didn't expect everyone to run a personal best!"
The Pumas were led by sophomore Jazmin Estrada's 19th place finish. Her time of 18:29.1 improved her best mark by over ninety seconds. Estrada was followed by freshman Keira Damron, 44th in 19:00.7; freshman Olivia Coulston, 68th in 19:21.4; freshman Mackenzie Bethancourt, 86th in 19:33.8; freshman Rachael Bethancourt, 101st in 19:49.3; sophomore Anilee LeSueur, 132nd in 20:12.3; sophomore Aspen LeSueur, 194th in 21:29.8; and freshman Seanta Begay, 234th in 24:59.1. Utah Valley University-B won the Open Section with a score of 30 points with Pomona Pitzer University placing second with 101 points. University of Nevada Las Vegas' Natalia Ruiz Lara won the race in a time of 17:02.2.
The Pumas, currently ranked first (men) and second (women) nationally in the 2023 NJCAA DII Cross Country National Coaches' Poll, will race next at the ACCAC Championship meet on Saturday, September 30 at 8:00 a.m. That meet will be held on the campus of Central Arizona College.
