Oct 31, 2015

Casa Grande- The Central Arizona College men's and women's teams competed at the NJCAA Region meet on Saturday at Villago Park, and both squads came out with a victory.  The men tallied 31 points just edging out Paradise Valley Community Colleges 34 points, the men were not racing with a top five runner due to having the team's 6th, 7th and 8th runner competing for the final spot at nationals.  The women had an easier time as they beat Mesa Community College 36-53 for the team title.

  

Leading the men was once again Gilbert Kigen, who remains undefeated in every race he has run this year.  Gilbert coasted the 8k course in 24:22, almost besting the second place runner by a minute.  The Vaqueros two headed monster comprising of Jorge Perez and Brian Masayesva placed 2nd and 3rd overall with a 25:16 and 25:20.  Randy Chavez, who placed in the top five for the vaqueros for the first time this year, ran a pr with a 26:23 and was followed closely by teammate Emmanuel Hildalgo with a 26:34 mark.

The Vaqueras were led by the defending region champion Marleena Eubanks, and she did not disappoint. Eubanks won her second region title by touring the 5k course in 18:40, coasting to victory over the last 800 meters of her race.  Marley Henson (19:06) placed 4th overall and continues to get stronger every race.  Kaitlyn Volk (19:39), Ramsay Chancellor (19:39) and Jelani Huma (19:46) ran as a pack most of the race with Kaitlyn edging out her teammate to place in the top 3 for the women's squad this year.

Coach Jon Harmon wrapped up the meet "The men and women both ran great, we needed a confidence builder heading into nationals in two weeks and I believe this was it.  The women have been working as a team all year and continue to be a force in the JUCO ranks while our men got redemption for losing to Paradise Valley at conference.  It's going to be a battle at Nationals but Coach Tavares and I have faith that our squads will be up for the challenge".

Central Arizona will be competing at the NJCAA National Meet in Fort Doge, IA on Saturday November 14.  Both teams look to follow up from last years success where they both placed 2nd overall.