Chewon Claims Sixth XC Title at the NMJC Invitational II

Damaris Chewon earned her sixth cross country title of her career and second title of the season at the NMJC Invitational II 5k on Friday, Oct. 6. 

Chewon finished in first place for the Thunderbirds with a time of 18:19.80. The pace was 22.81 seconds faster than what she ran in the NMJC Invitational two weeks ago. 

The NMJC women won their third meet of the season this week with a team score of 18 points. The T-Birds were 22 points clear of second-place finisher Lubbock Christian. 

Jayne Elvin was runner-up behind Chewon for the second time this year after crossing the line in 18:57.40. 

Vanessa Gallegos finished in third place for the second straight meet. The sophomore was 8.54 second faster this week with her 19:15.50 finish. Lisanne Schapendonk was two spots behind Gallegos in fifth place. The freshman improved by 34.53 seconds from the last meet to clock a 19:41.40.

Morgan Waltmire moved herself into the scoring lineup with a seventh place finish. The sophomore ran a time of 20:52.20, which was 24.89 seconds faster than two weeks prior. 

Jody Ann Mitchell has found a groove since making her debut at the NMJC Invitational two weeks ago. The Manchester, Jamaica native came in ninth place overall with a time of 20:59.20. The sophomore bettered her time by a whopping 1:18.12 from the previous race. 

Freshman Francesca Alvarado placed 11th with a time of 21:17.80. Tyfane Martins was right behind her teammate in 12th place (21:27.60). Daphne Kausz came in 21st place with a time of 23:46.90.

Sophomore Carolyne Kimaiyo rested during the Friday afternoon's 5k and did not race.

The Thunderbird women moved up one spot to No. 2 in the USTFCCCA NJCAA DI Women's Cross Country National Coaches' Poll (Week 2).

The T-Birds will be right back in action next week at Harry McAdams Park in Hobbs, NM at the NMJC Invitational III Friday, Oct. 13 at 9 a.m. MDT.