Flagstaff, Ariz. – The Coconino Community College women’s cross country team traveled to Riverside, California, on Saturday to compete in the Highlander Invitational hosted by the University of California, Riverside. Facing one of the largest and deepest fields of the season, the Comets delivered another strong team effort, finishing 11th overall out of 14 scoring programs that included four-year universities and several nationally recognized community colleges.

Sophomore Cian Davis once again led the way for CCC, clocking a personal best of 23:16.7 over the 6,000-meter course to finish 11th overall. Davis’ performance continues an impressive streak of top finishes this fall as she cements her position among the top NJCAA Division II runners in the West.

Close behind, Nizhoni Johnson ran 25:58.5, over 1 minute faster than last year at the same race, followed by freshman Haley Johnson in 26:02.8, also recording a lifetime best. Temyra Bia continued her steady progression, crossing in 27:04.2, while Peyton Yazzie (29:04.6), Leah Redondo (29:14.8), and Nevaeh Barlow (31:25.5) rounded out the team’s lineup.

“Every week, this group is showing more confidence and consistency,” said Head Coach Craig Hunt. “We’re racing against strong competition, and the women are proving they belong in that mix. To see everyone step up to the 6k distance without hesitation says a lot about their toughness and grit.”

Competing against a mix of NAIA, NCAA, and NJCAA programs, CCC’s 11th-place finish highlights the team’s continued improvement and depth heading into the late stages of the season. The Comets will compete next at the Region 1 Championships on Friday, October 24, at Crossroads District Park, in Gilbert, Arizona.