Puma Cross Country flexed their muscle last Saturday, at Central Arizona College, as the women brought home the ACCAC Championship, and the men came home runners-up. 

 

This was the first Conference championship for the NJCAA No. 1 ranked women's team since 2004, the first year the ACCAC hosted a Conference championship meet. "We're long overdue for a conference title on the women's side," said head coach David Barney. "We've got a great group of young women this year, they're working hard, they're having fun, and now they're getting a little payback!" PV's women scored 35 points to runner-up Central Arizona College's 37 (low score wins). 

 

Keira Damron was the first Puma across the finish line placing 2nd overall in a time of 19:35 for the 5000m course. Damron was closely followed by Jazmin Estrada, 3rd, also claiming a time of 19:35. Next for the Pumas was Mackenzie Bethancourt, 8th, in 20:22. She was followed by Anilee LeSueur, 9th in 20:24; Rachael Bethancourt, 13th in 20:52; Olivia Coulston, 17th in 21:10; Aspen LeSueur, 28th in 22:35; Seanta Begay, 38th in 26:02; and Saree Ochoa, 41st in 30:31. 

 

The Puma men's team also ran well Saturday, finishing runner-up to Mesa Community College in the men's 8000m race. "Our guys ran well, but so did Mesa," commented Barney, "It's early still, so we're not too worried. Now it's back to work!" The Pumas scored 50 points to MCC's 38. 

 

Leading the Puma pack was Nate Pestka who finished third in a time of 24:59.0. Following Pestka were Jason Lundgren, 9th (25:39); Jaxon Zimmerman, 11th (25:47); Dallon Walker, 13th (25:57); Jackson Bland, 14th (25:58); Caleb Villegas, 15th (25:59); Jacob Soukup, 25th (26:33); Quentin Davis, 31st (26:41); Mario Fernandez, 32nd (26:41); and Peyton Schneider, 49th (29:23). 

 

The Pumas return to action on October 14 at the Jim Drews/Tori Neubauer Invitational in West Salem, WI