The Coconino Community College men’s cross country team continued its standout 2025 campaign with a strong showing at the ACCAC and NJCAA Region 1 Championships on Friday morning at Crossroads Park in Gilbert, Arizona. Behind a commanding individual victory from freshman Edgar Avila-Mendoza, the Comets earned a third-place team finish against a highly competitive field.
Avila-Mendoza claimed the individual ACCAC and Region 1 Championship, dominating the 8K course in 25:54.7, a 5:12-per-mile pace average, to become CCC’s first regional and ACCAC champion in program history.
Sophomore Zach Biah was next across the line for CCC, finishing 12th in 27:17.9, earning him second team All-Conference and third team All-Region. Fellow sophomore Theodore Round Face was close behind in 16th at 27:46.3 earning All-Conference Honorable Mention. Kenneth Nez grabbed the last All-Conference Honorable mention spot by placing 21st in 29:58. Freshman Harrison Kessenich rounded out the scoring five, running 30:02.8 for the 8k course. Freshman Andrew Hartzell (33:52.5) and Sabino Chatter (34:20.0) provided additional depth as all seven Comets completed the race.
“This was an excellent step forward for our program,” said Head Coach Craig Hunt. “Edgar’s individual title was a tremendous achievement, but what stands out to me most is how our entire lineup competed. We’ve continued to improve each week, and we’re carrying great momentum heading into nationals.”
The Comets will now turn their focus to the NJCAA Division II National Championships on November 8 in Fort Dodge, Iowa, where both CCC men’s and women’s squads will represent Coconino on the national stage.
