The PVCC Men's & Women's Cross Country teams won their respective races Saturday at the NJCAA Region I Cross Country Championship Meet held at Glendale Heroes Park, in Glendale, AZ. This marks the first time since 2008 that the Pumas have brought home NJCAA Region I Championship titles for both teams in the same season.
The men started the day by defeating second-place Mesa Community College by a score of 25-35. Led by freshman Jaxon Zimmerman, the Pumas scored third through eighth places to secure the team victory. "Our guys executed extremely well today," stated head coach David Barney, "We had a game plan, and they stuck to it." Zimmerman ran 26:09.9 over the 8000m course and was followed by teammates Nathan Pestka, fourth (26:16.4); Jason Lundgren, fifth (26:19.5); Dallon Walker, sixth (26:24.4); Peyton Schneider, seventh (26:26.5); Jackson Bland, eighth (26:30.7) and Caleb Villegas, twelfth (26:49.1). All seven Pumas received All-Region honors. MCC's Jorge Trujillo won the individual title with a time of 25:59.5.
The women stepped up to the line next and went on to defeat Mesa with a score of 27-28. "The women's score was much closer than I would have liked it to be, but I'm proud of our women for coming through at the end," commented Barney, "These young women have done a great job all season!" Sophomore Jazmin Estrada spearheaded the Pumas' efforts placing second overall in a time of 19:14.7 across the 5000m course. She was closely followed by teammate Keira Damron's third-place finish in 19:25.0. Rounding out the Pumas' scorers were Mackenzie Bethancourt, sixth (20:36.3); Olivia Coulston, eighth (20:43.6) and Rachael Bethancourt, eleventh (21:15.1). All five ofPumas received All-Region honors. MCC's Carmella Baldwin won the individual title in a time of 19:00.7.
The Pumas return to action on November 11 in Huntsville, AL where they will compete in the NJCAA DII National Championship Meet. The Puma men return to defend their 2022 NJCAA title, and the women look to bring home their first NJCAA title since 2004.
