FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The Coconino Community College men’s Cross Country team placed third at the NJCAA Region 1 Championships, which doubled as the ACCAC Championships, on Friday in Tucson. Racing in wet, muddy conditions over the 8,000-meter course, the Comets scored 79 points and beat two nationally ranked programs: No. 5 Southern Nevada (96 points) and No. 11 Glendale CC (109 points).

Only the nation’s top two teams finished ahead of Coconino CC. Mesa CC, ranked No. 2 nationally, won the title with 35 points, and No. 1 Pima CC took second with 40.

Returning Region 1 champion Edgar Avila Mendoza led the Comets with a sixth-place finish in 26:18.3, earning All-Region honors. Freshman Ian Masayesva also earned All-Region, placing 11th in 26:57.3.

Freshman Brandon Joe was one spot shy of joining them. He finished 16th in 27:24.8, just outside the All-Region cutoff, and gave Coconino CC three runners in the top 16 of a field that included the nation’s top-ranked teams.

Rylan Bia (22nd, 28:09.9) and Elijah Talkalai (26th, 28:23.4) completed the Comets’ scoring five. Cedric Johnson (31st, 30:00.7) and Jayden Albert (32nd, 30:25.3) also competed for Coconino CC.

The Comets will next compete at the NJCAA National Championships on November 14th, in Huntsville, AL.