Trojans Battle Tough Conditions at NJCAA National Championships
The Colby Community College cross country teams showcased resilience and grit at the 2025 NJCAA Division I Cross Country National Championships. The Trojan men finished ninth overall in the 8K team standings with 280 points, while the women battled to a 24th-place finish in the 5K with 684 points.
FORT DODGE, Iowa — In brutal winter conditions that saw snow, wind, and low temperatures throughout the morning (Nov. 8), the Colby Community College cross country teams showcased resilience and grit at the 2025 NJCAA Division I Cross Country National Championships hosted by Iowa Central Community College. The Trojan men finished ninth overall in the 8K team standings with 280 points, while the women battled to a 24th-place finish in the 5K with 684 points.
For the men, sophomore Japhet Kiprono once again led the charge, finishing 26th overall with a time of 26:21.40 to close out another stellar season. Freshmen Enoha Reizabal-Bella and Kenan Delestre finished side-by-side, taking 40th (26:43.30) and 42nd (26:44.30), respectively, as both continued to impress on the national stage. Thomas Calas (71st, 27:27.60) and Andrew Berger (109th, 28:17.70) rounded out Colby's scoring five, while Alexandre Leroy (110th, 28:20.10) and Vincent Kirui (137th, 29:01.40) provided additional depth for the Trojans.
Despite the treacherous course conditions, the Trojans displayed remarkable toughness, securing another top-10 national finish and reaffirming their place among the nation's elite NJCAA programs. Within the KJCCC field, Hutchinson Community College placed second overall, while Butler Community College finished third, giving the conference three top-10 teams at the national meet with Colby rounding out the trio in ninth.
On the women's side, sophomore Nadine Mcintyre led Colby with a 58th-place finish in 20:25.50, closing a breakout season that included All-Region honors and a national ranking. Freshman Laina Larson finished 139th (22:57.50), followed by Shirley Cotant in 144th (23:20.40). Kaylen McAtee (171st, 25:44.10), Blanca Gallegos (172nd, 26:41.70), and Adriana Phillips (176th, 29:06.10) rounded out the Trojan lineup as the women persevered through one of the toughest racing environments of the season.
Among KJCCC programs, Hutchinson finished third, while Butler placed 12th, Cloud County took 13th, and Garden City came in 15th, highlighting the conference's strong representation at the national level.
The performance marked a strong conclusion to the 2025 season and the beginning of a new chapter for Colby cross country under head coach Mathew Scott. With both the men's and women's teams earning national recognition and demonstrating the toughness that defines the program, the Trojans continue to build upon a proud tradition of excellence, setting the stage for even greater success in the seasons to come.
Colby Final Results
Men's 8k– 9th – 280
26th– Japhet Kiprono – 26:21.40
40th – Enoha Reizabal-Bella – 26:43.30
42nd – Kenan Delestre – 26:44.30
71st – Thomas Calas – 27:27.60
109th – Andrew Berger – 28:17.70
110th – Alexandre Leroy – 28:20.10
Women's 5k – 24th – 684
58th – Nadine Mcintyre – 20:25.50
139th – Laina Larson – 22:57.50
144th – Shirley Cotant – 23:20.40
171st – Kaylen McAtee – 25:44.10
172nd – Blanca Gallegos – 26:41.70
176th – Adriana Phillips – 29:06.10
137th – Vincent Kirui – 29:01.40