The PVCC men's and women's cross country teams competed at the 2024 NJCAA DII Cross Country National Championship meet on Saturday, November 9 and brought some hardware home with them.
The Puma women came home with the 2024 NJCAA DII Cross Country runner-up trophy after finishing second to Mesa CC. This is the women's best finish since winning the NJCAA championship in 2004. The Pumas were led by Sophomore Keira Damron who finished fourth overall with a time of 18:26.0 over the 5,000m course. Damron was followed by teammates Laynee Hollech, seventh (18:45.6); Olivia Coulston, 11th (19:00.2); Rachael Bethancourt, 20th (19:25.9); Mackenzie Bethancourt, 37th (19:55.7); McKenna Martin, 73rd (20:44.1); and Shantelle Berrien, 83rd (20:55.7). Damron, Hollech and Coulston were named NJCAA All-Americans. There were 41 teams and 317 student-athletes competing in the race.
"I'm proud of our women. They went out and gave it a good shot," said Coach David Barney. "Hats off to Mesa, they ran really well today!"
On the men's side, Jackson Bland is the 2024 NJCAA Division II Cross Country individual national champion, crossing the finish line of the 8,000m course with a time of 25:14.0, over 13 seconds ahead of the second place runner. Bland is the second consecutive NJCAA individual champion for the Pumas, following Nathan Pestka who won the title last year.
"We had a great effort by our men's team," stated Barney, "Jackson, of course, ran exceptionally well- he's a tough one!
Bland led the Puma men to a fourth place finish, and was followed by teammates Jaxon Zimmerman, 12th (25:49.9); Jacob Soukup, 19th (26:04.6); Anthony Padilla, 30th (26:29.9); Nicholas Hiser, 78th (27:31.8); Joel Bejarano, 131st (28:20.5); and Ryan Ulmer, 185th (29:02.9). Bland and Zimmerman were named to the NJCAA All-American team, and Lansing Community College won the 40 team race featuring 315 student-athletes.
"I'm proud of both teams and grateful for the season we've had- we've got a great bunch of kids- hard workers and just good kids!" commented Barney.
Congratulations to Puma Cross Country and head coach Dave Barney on an excellent season!
