Posted: Oct 01, 2021

Brockman and Engelhardt lead Women at ACCAC Championship

Gilbert, Ariz. - The Mesa Thunderbirds women's cross country team showed a wonderful display of grit and determination this morning, as they finished runner-up to Central Arizona College at the 2021 ACCAC Cross Country Championships.

Kate Brockman led the T-Birds with an individual conference title and a personal best time in the 5k (19:23.3), earning the T-Birds back-to-back individual champions at the conference meet (Ellis Collins in 2019). Makayla Engelhardt also put on an impressive showing with a third-place finish (19:47.9). Brooke Stradling (10th, 20:49.2), Story Alexander (12th, 20:54.3), and Anna Harmon (36th, 27:00.8) rounded out the five scorers for Mesa.

Brockman and Engelhardt earned ALL-ACCAC First Team Honors. While Stradling and Alexander earned ALL-ACCAC Second Team Honors.

"I cannot say enough about this group of talented women," says Assistant Coach Paul Spencer Peterson. "We were a bit short with one team member unable to compete, but Kate, Makayla, Brooke, Story, and Anna took care of business to finish as runner-up. Their poise will prove to be a huge step moving forward. With six weeks to go before Nationals, this meet provided a glimpse of what these women are capable of ... a national contender! Our goals are to continue tightening up the time between our first runner and fifth runner. These women can achieve that goal and when they do - watch out! I am proud of ALL team members for their commitment to each other and themselves to improve week in and week out!"

Paradise Valley CC finished third overall as a team with a score of 61 points. Pima CC (fourth, 99 points), Phoenix College (fifth, 129 points), and Glendale CC (sixth, 130 points) rounded out the team scoring.

The T-Birds will compete at the Vaquero "CAMPY" Invitational next Saturday, October ninth, on the main campus of Central Arizona College.

2021 ACCAC CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS COMPLETE RESULTS

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