Native American athletes help CAC to NJCAA cross-country ranking

FORT DEFIANCE

Paced by three Native American athletes, Central Arizona College men’s team finished second and the women’s squad claimed third at the National Junior College Athletic Association Cross-Country Championships at Fort Dodge, Iowa last Saturday.

CAC sophomore Brian Masayesva, a Hopi from Tuba City, earned NJCAA All-America honors after finishing in 10th place.

Masayesva was CAC’s second finisher, clocking a 25:27 over an 8K course. En route to a national runner-up, CAC tallied 86 points. Iowa Central garnered the national championship with 56 points.

CAC head coach Paul Tavares said what he is most proud is, in the past six years, neither the CAC’s men’s nor women’s teams have finished less than third at the NJCAA Cross-Country National Championships.

“An important part of that success has been the wonderful Native American runners we have had consistently in this program,” Taveras said.

“I have been so blessed to have coached such great athletes. I am also extremely fortunate to work with the assistant coach, Jonathan Harmon. He is extremely knowledgeable, hard working and dedicated to CAC. He has been instrumental in CAC’s success over the years.”

Tavares praised Masayesva, Jessica Shirley, and Jelani Huma for their outstanding performance. He said all three were consistently in the top five all season for CAC.

“Without Brian, we would not have had the performance that we had this year,” Taveras said. “Brian has really come on this year to be an elite distance runner. Brian was second team All-America and the second American citizen in the race. Jessica and Jelani have already surpassed my expectations this year. I am excited to see how they do in track and field, and see how they progress for next year in cross-country.”

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