Posted: Nov 14, 2023
Puma sophomore Nate Pestka won the NJCAA Men's Division II Cross Country National Championship individual title last weekend at John Hunt Cross Country Park in Huntsville, AL. Pestka, who graduated from Shadow Mountain High School in Phoenix, clocked 24:49.1 over the 8000m course and won by five seconds over Michael Denning of Lansing Community College. Pestka's win was only the second time a Puma has won the men's individual championship, with Pat Keller last winning it in 2000.
The women's team raced to their highest finish since 2005, placing third overall with a point total of 115. The women were led Keira Damron's fifth-place finish. Damron, also a graduate of Shadow Mountain High School, soared over the 5000m course to a personal best time of 18:27.0. She was followed in by: Jazmin Estrada, 12th (19:01.8); Mackenzie Bethancourt, 27th (19:45.9); Rachael Bethancourt, 44th (20:07.1); Olivia Coulston, 63rd (20:29.9); and Aspen LeSueur, 86th (20:55.2). Cowley County Community College won the women's race with a point total of 66. Olivia Ippel of Lake Michigan College won the individual title with a time of 17:56.6.
Pestka led themen to a fourth-place finish with a team score of 105 points. Following Pestka in were: Jason Lundgren, 26th (25:57.0); Dallon Walker, 28th (25:58.1); Jackson Bland, 29th (25:58.50); Caleb Villegas, 34th (26:20.3); Peyton Schneider, 99th (27:44.5); and Jaxon Zimmerman, 118th (28:06.8). This meet marked the 24th time PV'CCs men have finished in the top-10 at the national meet in the last 25 years. Lansing Community College won the meet with 73 points.
"I'm very proud of both teams," stated Coach David Barney, "We had a great year, and our women's team is finally back! I'm especially happy for Nate and Keira. They got it done today!"
Pestka, Damron and Estrada were all honored as NJCAA All-Americans.
Women's Results:
1. Cowley College 66
2. Heartland CC 71
3. Paradise Valley 115
5. Fr Keira Damron 18:27.00 Paradise Valley (Ariz.) CC
12. So Jazmin Estrada 19:01.80 Paradise Valley (Ariz.) CC
27. Fr Mackenzie Bethancourt 19:45.90 Paradise Valley (Ariz.) CC
44. Fr Rachael Bethancourt 20:07.10 Paradise Valley (Ariz.) CC
63. Fr Olivia Coulston 20:29.90 Paradise Valley (Ariz.) CC
86. So Aspen LeSueur 20:55.20 Paradise Valley (Ariz.) CC
Men's Reults:
1. Lansing (Mich.) CC 73
2. Heartland (Ill.) CC 78
3. Daytona State (Fla.) 102
4. Paradise Valley (Ariz.) CC 105
1. So Nate Pestka 24:49.10 Paradise Valley (Ariz.) CC
26. So Jason Lundgren 25:57.00 Paradise Valley (Ariz.) CC
28. Fr Dallon Walker 25:58.10 Paradise Valley (Ariz.) CC
29. Fr Jackson Bland 25:58.50 Paradise Valley (Ariz.) CC
34. So Caleb Villegas 26:20.30 Paradise Valley (Ariz.) CC
99. Fr Peyton Schneider 27:44.50 Paradise Valley (Ariz.) CC
118. Fr Jaxon Zimmerman 28:06.80 Paradise Valley (Ariz.) CC
Click here for full results.
