November 2022 - CCC Athletics

Men Finish 23rd at NJCAA Nationals

Full Results Tallahassee, Fla. – In only their second season ever the Coconino Community College men’s cross country team capped off by an impressive season with a 23rd place team finish at the NJCAA Division II Men’s Cross Country National Championships. On a hot and humid day at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Florida the comets took on a field of 29 teams. Heading into the championships CCC was nationally ranked 23rd by the USATFCCCA Coaches poll and successfully matched that ranking by scoring a total of 584 points. The comets dropped down from 7,000 ft of elevation to nearly sea level to toe the line of their biggest race this season. The team’s pre-meet course preview was met with hurricane force winds and rain caused by hurricane Nicole. Fortunately by Saturday, race day, the storm had dissipated and left behind nothing but sunshine and humidity. Apalachee Regional Park has famously hosted races such as the USATF Cross Country National Championships, Florida High School State Championships, and the 2021 NCAA Division I National Championships. The 8k race course consisted of mostly grass, crushed shell trail, and rolling hills. The spectator friendly course hosted over 1,000 fans cheering with anticipation throughout all the races. Coconino’s top runner was Kevin Pawesiema Jr. cracked the top 100 individuals placing 95th place. Teammate Alisseo Honanhi ran strong with a 116th place finish, followed by Tristen Hatch and Damon Attakai in 144th and 145th place respectively. Rounding out the scoring for the comets was Damien Clark. This was the second time that the CCC men participated at the NJCAA National Championships, but the first they produced a scoring team. “This was the biggest race we have participated in all season with over 200 runners and the team handled it as well as any other program here. The heat definitely played a factor as we have been adjusting to cooler weather in Flagstaff, but it will make for a perfect afternoon on the beach later today. Best of all though we made history today by having CCC’s first scoring team at a National Championship and equaling our national ranking and that puts a huge smile on my face”, said Head Coach Craig Hunt with joy. The CCC men’s cross country team concluded their 2022 season and will kick off the next season at the George Kyte Classic at Buffalo Park in Flagstaff Arizona over labor day weekend in 2023. Paradise Valley Community College won the 2022 NJCAA DII Cross Country National Championships with a score of 68. Heartland Community College placed 2nd with 88 points, followed by Lansing Community College with 94 points.

Coconino Community Colleges Hayley Burns with her hands up as she wins the 2022 Cross Country National Championships.

Burns Wins National Title, Team Finishes 4th

Women's Cross Country / Craig Hunt

Full Results Tallahassee, Fla. – Coconino Community College freshman Hayley Burns convincingly wins the National Championships, and leads the team to a 4th place team finish. Coming off a sprint finish victory at the NJCAA Region 1 Championships Burns had the confidence needed to continue her win streak in Tallahassee. Throughout the season Burns often used her finishing kick to take the lead and secure the victory, but today Burns deployed a new race strategy. From the gun Burns dashed to the front with only Mesa Community Colleges Kate Brockman following. Brockman is the runner up from the 2021 NJCAA National Championships and the only NJCAA individual to defeat Burns throughout the regular season. Brockman, typically a front runner, battled with Burns for the lead over the first kilometer, but by 1 mile Burns had opened up an impressive lead. Covering the first mile in about 5:11, Burns was clear of her competition and would continue to extend her lead. Crossing 2 miles in under 11 minutes Burns had more than secured her National Championship title. She would maintain her lead and cross the finish line in a time of 18:22 for 5k. Her time would establish a new school record and more than 20 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor. “Hayley and I had discussed a race plan ahead of time and she executed it perfectly. She’s worked incredibly hard throughout this whole season, and still has a lot of room to improve. I’m excited for the future she has in front of her. All our women raced phenomenal today and helped prove that CCC can be a national contender now and in the future”, said Head Coach Craig Hunt. Not far behind, freshman teammate Taylor Biggambler would cross the finish line in 10th place overall in a time of 19:41. A strong 1-2 punch from Burns and Biggambler would help significantly in the team results. Whitney James would be the third comet to cross the finish line in 34th place, followed by Nevaeh Scott in 39th, and Julia Clarke in 50th. With a final score of 124 CCC would finish 4th as a team in only their second cross country season ever, and only 4 points out from 3rd place. Their 4th place finish today betters their USTFCCCA coaches poll national ranking of 5th heading into the championships. “Today was a culmination of all the hard work these women have put in all summer and fall. We knew we were capable of something special today and these women truly came together as a team to prove that and came away with a 4th place team finish. I’d say that’s a pretty amazing accomplishment for a program only in their second season ever” Hunt added. Burns and Biggambler both earned All-American honors for their performances. Burns also took home West Region Athlete of the Year, and National Athlete of Year. Burns became the first national champion in CCC school history. Lansing Community College won the NJCAA DII Women’s Cross Country National Championships with 57 points. Mesa Community College would finish second with 58 points. Heartland Community College would round out the podium with 120 points.

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