Fort Dodge, Iowa — The Highland Community College Cross Country teams capped an unforgettable fall season by battling snow, mud, and tough Midwest conditions at the NJCAA Division II National Championships in Fort Dodge. The Cougars' five national qualifiers— the largest group in program history — represented Highland with resilience and pride on one of the most challenging championship courses in recent memory.
The strong finish at Nationals comes after a historic qualifying performance at the NJCAA Region IV Championship, held earlier this fall at the Northwestern Medicine Cross Country Course in Geneva, Illinois. In Geneva, every Cougar who competed earned a national berth, marking the third consecutive season Highland has advanced runners to the National Meet. This year's group surpassed the previous program record of three qualifiers set in 2023.
Women's Race
Freshman Meanna Luy continued her standout debut season by powering through a muddy Nationals course in the sixth race of the day. Facing a field of 321 competitors, Luy delivered a strong performance that capped off a postseason run highlighted by her outstanding 7th-place finish at Regionals in Geneva, where she posted a time of 22:07.37 to secure her spot at Nationals.
Men's Race
Highland's men's team featured four national qualifiers: Sebastian Pantich, Reid Pierson, Brayden Jackson, and Ivan Wenger. The group earned their places at Nationals with a series of impressive Region IV finishes, including Pantich's 19th-place time of 33:03.14 and Pierson's 22nd-place effort in 34:12.73. Jackson finished 26th at Regionals in 35:50.77, while Wenger secured the final qualifying position with a 31st-place time of 36:53.26.
At Nationals, the quartet lined up against a field of 343 runners and delivered gritty, determined races despite the snow-packed, slippery conditions that challenged competitors throughout the day.
This year's Nationals appearance further underscores the growth of Highland's Cross Country program, which continues to attract runners from a variety of competitive backgrounds and experience levels. The Cougars will look to build on this momentum heading into next fall, with the added anticipation of a warmer championship site ahead—Huntsville, Alabama, which is scheduled to host the 2026 NJCAA Division II National Meet.
Athletes interested in joining the Highland Cross Country program for the upcoming season can contact Head Coach Stacy Green at 815-616-2105.
Highland Community College congratulates this year's national qualifiers for their exceptional season and for representing Cougar Nation with heart, grit, and determination.
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