Thunderbird (MXC) Posts Perfect Score in Snyder

The Thunderbirds earned a perfect score of 15 to win the Western Texas College Open 5k on Friday, Aug. 22.

Sophomore Mohammed Mrahi, who was hit with the injury bug his freshman year, finished in first place with a time of 16:39.64. The placement is 30 seconds faster than what he raced when he won the same meet in 2024.

Brian Cheruiyot was behind Mrahi in second place coming across the line in 16:49.55. The sophomore's time was 33 seconds faster than what he raced in Snyder in 2024. 

"We had a good first meet at Western Texas," NMJC men's cross country head coach Jeff Becker said. "The times are never fast on this course. It was exciting to see everyone that ran last year improved on their time this year. On the men's side, Mohammed and Brian had outstanding races and their times were very good for this course." 

Emmanuel Kimaiyo placed third Friday morning with a time of 17:15.00, which was 47 seconds faster than in 2024. Freshman Addiso Bitew was fourth at the WTC Open finishing less than a second behind Kimaiyo with a 17:15.71.

Freshman Ronald Jecky rounded out the team score in fifth place with a time of 17:50.30. The 1-5 sweep earned NMJC a perfect score of 15 in their first competition of the year. 

Elmehdi Bouchouata placed seventh in his first race in a Thunderbird uniform coming across the finish line in 18:06.75.

Sophomore Nathan Bonavida had a huge improvement from last year's race finishing in 18:23.44. The 11th-place finish was a whole minute quicker than in 2024. 

Rayane Courtois was the final T-Bird to cross the finish line in Snyder. Courtois ran a 20:02.10 to place 15th overall.

The T-Birds were without Killian LeBourhis, Alexandre Fablet, Israel Takap, and Erwan Darrieulat this week.

"Next week at New Mexico State, we will get a better test of where we're at. The course at New Mexico State, as well as the competition is always excellent."

The Thunderbirds next meet is the NM State- Lori Fitzgerald Memorial on Saturday, Aug. 30 at 8 a.m. MDT in Las Cruces, NM.