(October 27, 2023) Mena, Arkansas - After a successful cross country season, the Bucks turned their attention to the NJCAA DII Region 2 Championships this afternoon. For the fifth time in six years, the Lion's Club and the Bucks have been host for the championship run. This afternoon was a rainy and wet course for the races. There are six teams in Region II that run cross country: Carl Albert, Connors State, National Park, Northwest Arkansas, Redlands, and UA Rich Mountain. 

For the third straight year, Northwest Arkansas wins the Region II Championship with the Bucks coming in as Runner-Ups. Jan Aguilar of NWACC is the Region II individual champion with a time of 27:31.09. Luis Morales (Glenwood, AR) came in second in the 8K race with a time 27:52.04 to be named to the All-Region Team. The remaining All-Region members were from NWACC. 

Yermy Gonzalez (Horatio, AR) finished second for the Bucks with a time of 29:23.75 to finish 7th overall in the race. Angel Cordero (Springdale, AR) finished 9th with a time of 29:49.72. 

The rest of the Bucks finished as follows in the men's race:

11th - Emmanuel Cartagena (Sherman, TX) - 30:11.14

14th - Montana Wesley (Waldron, AR) - 30:39.40

20th - Brian Monterroza (Fort Smith, AR) - 32:03.92

24th - Desmond Thompson (Fort Smith, AR) - 33:06.81

On the women's side, the Bucks had three runners in the 5K race. Northwest Arkansas won the Region II Championship.

The Bucks finished as follows:

7th - Jadelynn Wood (Mansfield, AR) - 24:26.69

• Wood finished 4th overall in the Region II, earning All-Region honors in her first race back from injury. 

12th - Karen Campos (Pittsburg, TX) - 24:51.06

26th - Adriana Monitel (De Queen, AR) - 28:53.74

The men and women will now turn their attention to the National Championship that will be held in Huntsville, Alabama on November 11th. 

#DefendTheMountain