Flagstaff, Ariz. – In brutal winter conditions featuring heavy wind, steady snow, and ankle-deep mud, the Coconino Community College women’s cross country team delivered a breakout performance at the NJCAA Division II National Championships in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Unranked in the top 25 heading into the meet, the Comets surged to a 13th-place finish out of 44 teams, stamping themselves as one of the biggest surprises of the championship.

Sophomore Cian Davis led the charge with a poised and fearless 5k run, placing 26th overall in 20:24.4 to earn NJCAA All-American honors. Her performance marked a major milestone for the CCC women’s program and set the tone for the rest of the squad on a day when every place was hard-earned. Freshman Haley Johnson was the Comets’ second finisher, placing 62nd in 21:19.1, while sophomore Temyra Bia stepped up with a clutch, season-best effort of 21:46.6 to finish 79th despite the harsh weather and deteriorating footing.

Rounding out the scoring five, sophomore Nizhoni Johnson crossed the line in 22:40.0 (125th), and sophomore Peyton Yazzie battled through the snow and mud to finish in 24:19.4 (192nd), sealing CCC’s top-15 team result. Sophomore Leah Redondo (24:30.0, 198th) and freshman Nevaeh Barlow (26:43.3, 255th) also contributed strong efforts in the difficult conditions, providing crucial depth in the large national field.

From unranked to 13th in the nation, the Comets proved they belong on the national stage, combining grit, resilience, and belief to turn a snowy championship course into one of the most memorable performances in program history.