Southern Idaho earns back-to-back national titles
Tallahassee, FL – The College of Southern Idaho Golden Eagles claimed the 202 NJCAA DI Women's Cross Country Championship, presented by the Marines, title with 61 team points at Apalachee Regional Park. Southern Idaho successfully defended its national title, after claiming the program's first trophy a year ago with 68 team points.
The Golden Eagles placed three runners inside the top 10 in the overall individual finishers, each garnering All-America honors. Natalya Babcock was the top-finisher for Southern Idaho, coming in at fifth place with a time of 18:26.6. Lydia Felix and Elizabeth Phillips finished in ninth and tenth place for the Golden Eagles, posting times of 18:41.5 and 18:55.3 respectively.
Audrey Camp claimed a 20th place finish with a time of 19:20.8. The duo of Taya Brewer and Abigail Case earned 23rd and 24th place finishes with times of 19:24.5 and 19:26.2. Freshman Jaresa Jackson rounded out the Southern Idaho team with a 30th place finish and a time of 19:43.9.
With all runners finishing in the top-30, Southern Idaho fought in a competitive field of more than 20 programs. The Golden Eagles' program has held a steady presence amongst the top NJCAA women's cross country programs in recent years. 2022 marks the fifth time in the last six years that Southern Idaho has finished fourth or better at the national meet.
The Golden Eagles were led by a strong core of sophomores who helped the program claim its first national title a year ago including Natalya Babcock, Lydia Felix, Audrey Camp, and Taya Brewer.
Southern Idaho was one of three programs three programs, including New Mexico and Iowa Central, to have multiple runners earn All-America status and the only program to place three runners inside the top-10.
Nyathi claims second individual title
For the second consecutive year, El Paso's Faith Nyathi earned top individual honors at the NJCAA Division I Women's Cross Country Championship. Nyathi posted a time of 17:47.8. Nyathi's efforts helped lift El Paso to a sixth place finish with 215 team points.
Nyathi took home the title by an 18 second margin to runner-up Mercy Biwott of Iowa Western (18:05.8), who finished as runner up to Nyathi in the 2021 national meet.
Damaris Chewon (New Mexico - 18:13.0), Lucy Ndungu (Cloud County - 18:21.0), and Natalya Babcock (Southern Idaho - 18:26.6) round out the top five individual finishers.
Thunderbirds take home silver in Tallahassee
New Mexico Junior College earned a second place team finish at the 2022 NJCAA DI Women's Cross Country Championship. The Thunderbirds combined for 79 team points. New Mexico improved on their fourth-place finish from a year ago.
Damaris Chewon was the top-finisher for the New Mexico posted a time of 18:13.0, good for the third place. Two other Thunderbirds earned All-America honors at the national meet. Letlhogonolo Magoro finished in 14th place with a time of 19:05.4 while sophomore Joan Kimalel finished closely behind in 15th place with a time of 19:07.9.
