The ninth-ranked CCC women’s cross country team began their season at the George Kyte Classic on Saturday, competing against NCAA Division I powers Northern Arizona, Arizona, and Arizona State, as well as top junior college rivals.
Northern Arizona dominated the race with a perfect team score, but the Comets showed determination in their season debut, finishing 10th overall as a squad. Sophomore Cian Davis led CCC across the line in 17:41.5, placing inside the top 15 among junior college competitors. She was followed by Peyton Yazzie (19:47.5), Nizhoni Johnson (20:00.7), and freshman Nevaeh Barlow (22:38.6), who impressed in her first collegiate race. Sophomore Faylee Howe (23:00.8) closed out the scoring five, with sophomores Deondra Ashely and Leah Redondo providing depth.
Coach Hunt praised the effort of the women’s team against such a loaded field.
“It’s an honor to be on the line with programs like NAU, Arizona, and Arizona State. For our women, this was about competing with heart and using the experience to get better. With the depth we have this season, I know we’ll keep moving forward each week.”
With a preseason national ranking of No. 9 in the USTFCCCA poll, the Comets will use this opener as a springboard into the remainder of their schedule. They will be back in action on September 6 at the Embry-Riddle Arizona Invitational in Prescott.
CCC alumna Hayley Burns, now competing for Northern Arizona University, was the top collegiate finisher in the women’s race, winning in 15:13.4 and showcasing the continued pipeline of talent from CCC to the Division I level.
