Cross Country/Track & Field | 10/15/2024 11:05:00 AM

Winfield, KS - The Neosho County Community College Men's and Women's earned their trip to the NJCAA National Championships with banner performances by both teams. The Women's team earned the second best team time in Neosho County History and the Men's team followed suite with the 3rd best team time in Neosho County History.

The Panthers had 7 top 20 all-time individual performances from the meet. Wendy Komane lead the way for the women running 20:39 in the 5k to move herself up to #3 All-time for Neosho. On the men's side Tristan Hickman moved himself into a Tie for 6th all-time running 27:33 for the 8k Course. Others earning spots in the top 20 this season include Melania Turaga, Barbara Gurrola, Vilorina Tuilawaki, Jaden Perry, and Noah Laird. 

The men took nearly 1 minute off of their best team time from the season and the ladies took about 30 seconds off of their best for both teams to meet the institutional qualifying standard to compete at the National Championships in Richmond Virginia on Saturday November 9th.

"It was such a great day, we finally got near perfect conditions for a race. Our teams have been itching for a good day to really show what they could do, and they really showed up today. I have seen lately in practice and everything that we were due for a big breakthrough, it was very satisfying to get it done now so that we could take the pressure off and just really focus in on achieving the most we possibly can. Both teams have come a long way from Day 1. This group has been motivated by the doubters and really stepped up. Now we really get to work and prove just how good we can be." Comments from Head XC/T&F Coach Trey Bruton following the competition on Saturday.

Next up for the team is the Regional Championships on Friday, October 25th, hosted by Cowley County Community College back on the same Course in Winfield, KS.