Cross Country teams report

The EPCC Tejanas took first overall with 28 points, tying Division II NMHU but earning the tie breaker for a higher finish by the sixth place runner. The Men's and Women's Cross Country teams competed at the New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) XC Jam Friday, September 26, 2025, in Las Vegas, New Mexico, held at the Gene Torres Golf Course.

This is the third cross country meet this season for EPCC, after competing at the Lori Fitzgerald Memorial Open and the UNM Lobo Cross Country Invitational.

EPCC freshman Nhamoinesu “Toddy" Mabvuka was the Tejanas' top 5K finisher with a time of 18:38, good for third place overall. She was followed in fourth place by EPCC freshman Faith Rotich at 18:46, then sophomores Antonia Ronoh in fifth place at 18:51, and Sofia Ramirez in seventh place at 19:41.EPCC Men's and Women's Cross Country teams competed at the New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) XC Jam Friday, September 26, 2025, in Las Vegas, New Mexico, held at the Gene Torres Golf Course.

This is the third cross country meet this season for EPCC, after competing at the Lori Fitzgerald Memorial Open and the UNM Lobo Cross Country Invitational.

On the EPCC men's side, EPCC finished 2^nd overall out of seven teams with 30 points, three points behind men's team winner NMHU. Tejanos' sophomore Julian Guerra finished fourth overall in the men's 7K with a time of 22.41, followed by sophomore Aydan Lugo in fifth at 23:20. EPCC sophomore Gustavo Salazar finished seventh at 23:41.

The cross country meet included Oklahoma Panhandle State, Northern New Mexico, Navajo Tech, and Dine College.

Last season, the EPCC men's team won the Region V Cross Country Championship, while the Tejanas finished second, both advancing to the NJCAA National Championships in Richmond, Virginia, where the men finished 5^th, and the women finished 7^th. At the NJCAA Half Marathon in Virginia just three days later, the women finished with a bronze medal while the men finished 5^th.

Next up for EPCC Cross Country, the men and women travel to Ruidoso, New Mexico, for the Eastern New Mexico University - Ruidoso Inn of the Mountain Gods Open Friday, October 3, 2025.

This is the third of five meets for the EPCC men's and women's teams before the season culminates with the NJCAA Region V Championships October 25, 2025, in Hobbs, New Mexico. Following that race, any Tejanos or Tejanas who qualify would advance to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Men's and Women's Cross Country and Half Marathon National Championships Saturday, November 8-11, 2025, in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

For more information on the EPCC Cross Country team, please visit: https://www.epcc.edu/Services/Athletics