El Paso Community College will be hosting the Region V Cross Country Meet this Saturday morning at Three Hills Park near Franklin High School.
The men’s and women’s college teams scheduled to compete are EPCC, New Mexico Junior College, New Mexico Military Institute, Odessa College, South Plains College and Western Texas College.
On the men’s side, South Plains College (ranked third in the country in NJCAA poll) and EPCC (ranked 14th) appear to be the favorites coming in.
The same can be said for the women.
South Plains (2nd) and EPCC (10th) are the teams to beat.
The race will feature five returning all americans who are scheduled to compete.
A maximum of 10 runners from each school will compete in the meet, and only two can be foreign runners.
Male runners to watch are South Plains’ John Kosgei and Fred Samoei, Western Texas’ Richard Kogo, and EPCC’s Robert Menjo.
For the women, the elite runners are Lillian Badaru and Florence Jepchirchir of South Plains, Jodian Richards from New Mexico Junior College and Gabby Ramos from EPCC.
“This is going to be a very competitive race on a very competitive course where the outcome will be determined by physical or mental toughness,” said EPCC coach Felix Hinojosa. “My Dawgs are up for it.”
The top 10 runners for both the men and the women will earn All-American honors.
The Western Junior College Athletic Conference All-Conference awards will also be handed out to the top 10 runners and medals for All-Region will be given.
Also, the team champions on both men and women will receive a team plaque.
The race will be held on the city’s westside, near High Ridge Drive and Resler.
The women’s race is scheduled to get underway at 8:30 a.m., and the men will start at approximately 9 a.m.
