NMJC (MXC) Ends 2025 Season in 7th at Nationals
The T-Birds finished the cross country season in seventh place at the NJCAA XC Championships on Saturday, Nov. 8 in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
The T-Birds were the first DI team to brave the heavy snow out on the course. The temperature on Saturday reached a high of 34°F. The thick snow and cold weather created challenging conditions out on the course which led to a slower pace for the field.
Iowa Central CC won the men's national championship with a score of 58, Hutchinson CC was second with 69 points, Butler CC was third with 144 points, and the T-Birds were seventh with a total of 216 points.
Cornelius Kogo of Hutchinson Community College won the individual title with a time of 24:54.70.
Killian LeBourhis came for redemption after pulling out of last year's competition with an injury. LeBourhis was the top runner for the T-Birds placing 24th overall with a time of 26:12.70. His finish earned him USTFCCCA All-American honors.
Sophomore Brian Cheruiyot was the No. 2 man for NMJC this week. Cheruiyot ended his T-Bird career coming across the line in 29th place with a time of 26:26.10. He also earned USTFCCCA All-American honors.
Freshman Addiso Bitew was a few spots behind Cheruiyot in 33rd place with a time of 26:31.30 in his first appearance at nationals. Emmanuel Kimayo trudged through the snow to finish with a time of 27:05.30 in 57th place.
Ronald Jecky was the fifth and final runner counting toward the team score. Jecky ended his freshman campaign in 78th place with a finish of 27:36.20. Elmehdi Bouchouata was the last T-Bird on the course, finishing 105th with a time of 28:14.50.
Sophomore Mohammed Mrahi did not finish and dropped out after reaching the 5k point. He was one of three competitors to not finish in the entire DI, DII, and DIII field.
The Thunderbirds close the 2025 cross country season but will compete in the NJCAA Half Marathon Championships Tuesday, Nov. 11 at Lakeside Municipal GC starting at 10:10 a.m. CST.
