T-Bird (MXC) Wins Region V Championship, Mrahi Runner-up
The Thunderbirds won the 8k Region V Championship and the WJCAC Championship for the first time since 2023 on Saturday, Oct. 25.
NMJC finished in first place with 32 points, Odessa was in second place with 85 points, and South Plains placed third with 104 points. Individually Amantle Modingwane of Ranger College won the Region V title with a time of 23:21.00.
Sophomore Mohammed Mrahi finished runner-up this week at Harry McAdams Park. The Kenitra, Morocco native ran a 23:37.00 which was 2.90 seconds better than his career best he set earlier this season at the Dr. Steve McCleery Invitational. Mrahi had a little extra fuel this year after missing the 2024 Region V Championship with an injury.
Emmanuel Kimaiyo came in fourth place this year after a 16th-place finish in the 2024 Region V Championship. Kimaiyo recorded a 24:02.80 in Hobbs, NM which was 1:04 faster than his time last year.
Brian Cheruiyot came off injury and placed sixth in the 8k. The sophomore from Kapsabet, Kenya finished with a time of 24:05.20 which was 21 seconds better than his time a year prior.
Freshman Addiso Bitew was the fourth runner across for the T-Birds in 11th place. Bitew posted a time of 24:29.40 in his first Region V appearance.
Alexandre Fablet was the final runner counting toward the team score finishing one spot behind Bitew in 12th place. The freshman is battling a groin injury, but he still was able to register a career-best 24:35.90.
Freshman Ronald Jecky came across the finish line in 14th place with a time of 24:43.00. Freshman Elmehdi Bouchouata finished in 26th place with a time of 25:48.40. Killian LeBourhis was out Saturday with a personal matter but should be ready in time for nationals in Iowa.
The Thunderbirds have two weeks off before they compete at the 2025 NJCAA Cross Country Championships at 12 p.m. CST on Saturday, Nov. 8 at Lakeside Municipal GC in Fort Dodge, IA.
The men will also compete in the Half Marathon at 10:10 a.m. CST on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at Lakeside Municipal GC in Fort Dodge, IA.
