Denver, Colorado - The NMHU Cross Country Teams were in Denver on Saturday afternoon competing in the NCAA South Central Region Championships at snowy Washington Park.
"What a day, three for three, snow and really tough conditions each of the last three times Regionals have been in Denver," said Head Coach
Bob DeVries. "Even getting to Denver was a challenge, some teams barely made it and others decided to stay home rather than risk traveling. Our five hour drive up I-25 turned into an 11 hour adventure through western Colorado."
Freshman
Weldon Chebon posted an eighth place finish and earned All-Region honors as he completed the 10k course in 31:32.7. His finish guaranteed him a spot in the national championship race in two weeks.
"Weldon stayed patient all day. The goal was to move on to nationals, mission accomplished," said DeVries. "Weldon and James (Kurui) had never seen snow, let alone trying to race in it, prior to this weekend."
As a team, the Cowboys finished 16th in the 24 team field. Freshman
James Kurui finished in 30th pace with a time of 32:28.0
On Kurui's race DeVries said, "We really felt James could grab an individual qualifying spot, but he got tangled up at the start with a runner who fell in front of him and spent the whole race trying to move up. He passed about 70 runners, but came up just short of a qualifying spot."
Finally, DeVries commented, "Our projected third man,
Erardo Gonzalez, suffered an injury mid-race in one of the snowy sections and basically jogged in.
Lawrence Ragland came through with his best race of the season. He showed a toughness that comes from growing up in northern New Mexico. I'm very proud of
Edgar Hernandez. He has been dealing with a hamstring injury for a month, but he wanted to race in his final regional."
The Cowgirls finished in 24th place on Saturday with senior
Jewels Leslie leading the way as she completed the 6k course in 26:52.2.
Of the women's effort Coach DeVries said, "Jewels and Josey both raced tough in their final XC races for Highlands. Jewels led her team for one last time and Josey probably runs a career best in normal conditions. Very proud of how they finished up their cross country careers. Summer, our #1 most of the season, struggled with the conditions. She's going to be one of the best to ever race at Highlands--her work ethic and potential is an exciting combination. Cemore left her spikes at home -- she raced in flats and that was not what anyone wanted to do Saturday. Zero footing and a lot of slipping and sliding hurt her chance to race well."
Looking ahead to the upcoming Indoor Track season, DeVries said, "The women will quickly turn their attention to indoor track. Our first meet is a month away and Cemore, Josey and Summer are going to be part of a team going for a school record in the distance medley relay!"
Up next for Chebon, the NCAA National Championship is on November 23rd in Sacramento, California.
Complete South Central Championship results can be found
here.
