Courtesy photo.
FLAGSTAFF — Coconino Community College (CCC) is thrilled to announce the addition of 13 talented recruits to the cross country team for the upcoming fall 2024 season. These new athletes, hailing from diverse backgrounds and bringing a wealth of experience, are poised to strengthen CCC’s already formidable cross country program.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome these outstanding runners to our team,” said Head Coach Craig Hunt. “Each of these athletes brings unique strengths and a dedication to excellence that will help us continue to build a competitive and cohesive team.”
The new recruits for the 2024 season are as follows:
Men:
- Jace Coochwikvia (Winslow High School, Winslow, Ariz.) – A standout performer at Winslow High School, Jace brings a personal best of 4:39 in the 1600m and 10:19 in the 3200m. He finished 3rd at the 2023 Joseph City Cross Country Invitational and ran a personal best of 17:21 for 5k at the AIA D3 State Championships.
- Kenneth Nez (Holbrook High School, Holbrook, Ariz.) – Known for his fierce racing and endurance, Kenneth has consistently placed in the top 10 throughout his 2023 track season. He boasts personal records of 4:43 for 1600m and 2:01 for 800m.
- Leon Barton(Winslow High School, Winslow, Ariz.) – Leon has shown tremendous potential by winning both the 800m and 1600m at the Red Rock Small Invite this past spring. He has been a key contributor to his high school team’s success by leading them to qualify for the Arizona State Championships.
- Theodore Round Face (Gallup High School, Gallup, N.M.) – With a personal best of 16:18 in the 5K, Theodore’s strength lies in his ability to perform under pressure, making him a valuable asset for the team. He is the NMAA 4A – District 1 champion in the 1600m and runner-up in the 3200m.
- Dwight Spencer (Gallup High School, Gallup, N.M.) – Dwight’s impressive 17:02 in the 5K and his competitive spirit will be instrumental in driving the team’s success this season. He placed 17th at the 2023 New Mexico NMAA State XC Championships, an improvement from 45th the year prior.
- Troy Baker (Flagstaff High School, Flagstaff, Ariz.) – Troy is a 2023 graduate from Flagstaff High School where helped his cross country team to two AIA State Championships in 2021 and 2019. His personal bests of 10:16 in the 3200m and 16:39 for 5k should have him contesting for one of the Comets top spots.
- Zach Biah (Flagstaff High School, Flagstaff, Ariz.) – Bringing a personal best of 17:53 in the 5K, Zach’s ceiling for improvement is high as he has only competed in two seasons of cross country throughout his career.
- Wakiya Puente (Window Rock High School, Fort Defiance, Ariz.) – Throughout the spring track season Wakiay has shown great dedication to improving and determination to run at the next level. He closed out his senior season having run personal best in the 1600m and 3200m distances.
Women:
- Isabella Robles (Carl Hayden Community High School, Phoenix, Ariz.) – With a 5K personal best of 21:45, Isabella is poised to make an impact as a Comet. Training at altitude and in more modest temperatures may be the key to help her reach the next level.
- Diana Paniagua (Carl Hayden Community High School, Phoenix, Ariz.) – Diana’s 23:34 in the 5K is over 3 minutes faster than her personal record from the previous season. She is the prime example of how dedication and hardwork can translate to huge improvements. Let’s see if Diana can cut another 3 minutes this season.
- Leah Redondo (Camelback High School, Phoenix, Ariz.) – Leah set personal bests in not one, not two, but four distance events during her senior year. From the 800m all the way to 5k, Leah has a great ranch and an even greater ceiling for improvement.
- Bryanne Morgan (Kirtland Central High School, Kirtland, N.M.) – Bryanne’s 21:41 in the 5K and her strategic race planning will contribute significantly to the team’s dynamics. She shows great potential for growth with more mileage and dedicated training partners.
- Peyton Yazzie (Coconino High School, Flagstaff, Ariz.) – A fearless competitor, Peyton has a passion for racing dirt bikes and strength training. She is a 2018 graduate from Coconino High School where she competed in Cross Country. She’ll be bringing a lot of maturity and life experience to the team.
- Cian Davies (Alchesay High School, Whiteriver, Ariz.) – Cian’s strong work ethic and personal best of 21:54 in the 5K make her a valuable addition to the roster. Cian was a 2023 AIA Division IV Championship qualifier in both the 1600m and 3200m. She holds personal bests of 5:38 for 1600m and 12:30 for 3200m.
CCC’s cross country program has a strong tradition of excellence. In 2022, CCC’s Hayley Burns won the NJCAA National Championships leading our women to a 4th place team finish. Last season the men’s team placed 10th at the NJCAA National Championships, with freshman Ryan Hatch earning All-American by placing 5th overall. The addition of these 13 new recruits underscores the college’s commitment to fostering athletic talent and academic achievement. The coaching staff and current team members are eager to integrate the new athletes and work towards another successful season.
“I’m proud of the recruiting our coaching staff has accomplished this year, but the job isn’t done yet. We hope to add a few more athletes to our roster throughout the summer and are always looking for new prospects,” stated Hunt.
The Comets will open up their 2024 campaign at the George Kyte Classic hosted by Northern Arizona University at Buffalo Park in Flagstaff, Arizona on August 31, 2024.
About Coconino Community College:
Coconino Community College, located in Flagstaff, AZ, is dedicated to providing accessible, affordable, and high-quality education to students from all walks of life. The college offers a wide range of academic programs and is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive community for all students.