MESA, Ariz. -- Nov. 18, 2024 -- Mesa Community College Women's Cross Country team, made history Nov. 9 as they captured the first NJCAA National Championship in the program’s history.

The Lady T-Birds came close to earning the championship several times with 4th place in 2023, 2nd place in 2022 and 3rd in 2021. This cemented them as one of the most consistent and premier programs in the country having won three trophies in the last four years.

Five of the team’s top runners -- Kinley Jackson, Regina Raimo, Katie Munoz, Marissa Hernandez and Carmella Baldwin -- finished in the top 20.

Jackson, a Highland High School graduate pursuing a degree in computer science, took home 6th place, clocking a time of 18:40.2. Raimo, who graduated from Mountain View High School and is pursuing a degree in exercise science, earned 8th place with a time of 18:49.5. Not far behind was Munoz, a graduate of Perry High School who is pursuing a degree in exercise science, coming in 13th clocking a time of 19:02.4. A Chandler High School alumna majoring in forensic science at MCC, Hernandez took 15th with a time of 19:07.8. Baldwin finished 19th clocking in at 19:24.9. A graduate of Arizona College Prep High School, Baldwin is majoring in journalism & New Media Studies. The full team’s results are available on the Division II NJCAA XC Championship website.

Head coach Daniel Pescador was named the NJCAA DII Women’s National Cross Country Coach of the Year as well as the West Region Coach of the Year.

"We're just very proud and excited for this group of ladies to win the program's first national championship! It feels good to get over the hump after being so close for the last three seasons," said Pescaodor. "This group will always be remembered for being the very first NJCAA champions at Mesa Community College in women's cross country."

Winning was a total team effort, according to Pescador, explaining that this achievement would not have been possible without the help of his coaching staff, longtime assistant coach Spencer Peterson and coach Mitchell Briggs.

"They bring a great amount of expertise, passion and knowledge," said Pescador. "Coach Briggs was very instrumental in helping our women's team with their race strategy and knowing exactly what to do out on that course at key points and coach Peterson was very engaged and gave lots of great input throughout the season. He put together a lot of the framework we did throughout the season."

MCC Thunderbird fans are invited to join in a celebration of the team’s success on Thursday, Nov. 21 from 3-4 p.m. in the center courtyard just east of the AS building of the Southern and Dobson Campus, 1833 W. Southern Ave., Mesa.

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Media Contact: Dawn Zimmer, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu, 480-461-7892

Mesa Community College is nationally recognized for university transfer, career and technical programs, civic engagement, service-learning and innovative approaches to education. Host to more than 24,400 students annually, MCC offers degree and certificate programs at its two campuses and additional locations. On average MCC students provide 23,000 hours of community service annually. For more than 50 years, the college has served as a resource for education, workforce development and lifelong learning. MCC is transforming student success through Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. MCC is a Hispanic Serving Institution. Nearly 50% of MCC students are the first in their families to attend college. MCC has the largest indigenous student population of all the Maricopa Community Colleges. The American Indian Institute serves students from 22 federally recognized Arizona tribes and out-of-state tribes. Our diverse student body includes hundreds of international students from around the world. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success, providing the education and training that empowers MCC students to attain their goals. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, on the traditional territories of the O'odham, Piipaash and Yavapai Peoples, MCC is one of 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District. Visit mesacc.edu to learn more.

MCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org.

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