Posted: Nov 15, 2015

Women's cross country places fifth, men 13th, at NJCAA Cross Country Championships

FORT DODGE, Iowa - The Mesa women's cross country team had its best national showing since 1993, placing fifth, while the men took a strong 13th place, at the NJCAA Division I Cross Country National Championships Saturday.

The women were led by Adeline Montgomery (Fr., Gilbert, AZ/Highland H.S.) who took 14th place individually in 18:55.26 and earned All-American honors. ""Addi ran a very smart race, as she was around 40th at the mile and moved up from there." said head coach Daniel Pescador. "She kept battling and kept passing every step of the way. I am extremely proud in how Addi finished."

Second for the T-Birds was Gabby Ybarra (Fr., Gilbert, AZ/Perry H.S.) who was 38th in 19:39.37. Samantha Miller (Fr., Woodbury, Minn/Chandler H.S.) was 50th with a time of 20:00.71.

"We knew coming into the meet we could place well if we put it all together on championship day. I am beyond proud of how the women ran today and left it all out on the course, each one kept fighting until the end," said Pescador.

A total of 42 teams and 305 runners competed.

The men were paced by David Fernandez (Fr., Oro Valley, AZ/Ironwood Ridge H.S.) who was 37th with a 26:29.47 clocking. Blake Fischer (So., Tempe, AZ/Corona del Sol H.S.) placed 45th in 26:44.39 and Zach Harrach (Fr., Gilbert, AZ/Highland H.S) was 68th with a time of 27:18.18. There were 287 individual runners and 39 teams.

Pescador noted, "I am very pleased with how the men competed today. We have been waiting for a race like this. This young team really stepped it up today and made a tremendous leap in running with the best athletes and teams in the NJCAA."