Saturday

The cross country teams competed at the Al Shirley Invitational hosted by Central Arizona College on Saturday in Coolidge, AZ.  The meet, which consisted of NJCAA D1 and D2 programs, was the fourth meet for both the men and women teams.  

Central Arizona won the meet for the men while Mesa Community College (NJCAA D2) took top honors for the women. 

"We host this meet to honor 5 great legacies that helped spring CAC to become one of the premier distance running programs in the nation." Stated Head Coach Jon Harmon "We also continue to put this meet on to offer another option for local community colleges and athletes to compete in Arizona."

Last year and previous years the meet was known as CAMPY for Chuck Schnoor, Al Shirley, Mike Gray, Paul Tavares, and George Young.  The meet was renamed for 2025 to the Al Shirley Invitational to honor the late Al Shirley, who passed in December 2024.

"I truly do miss Coach Shirley and all the energy he brought to this sport and those around him" Stated Harmon. "He is missed and forever loved here at CAC."

The Vaquero's had a familiar frontrunner at this meet, Joel Barros. Joel toured the 5km race in 15:12 which was good enough to claim runner-up and run a new personal best.  Joel's time places him as the best time on the home course among CAC athletes all-time.  "The men's team ran the best gap all season at this meet." Stated Harmon "Our top guys worked with the rest of the guys to help pull everyone along, almost every guy ran a pr today."  

Rounding out placing for the Vaquero's were:

Jayden Smith 15:16 (4th Overall) a new personal best and 2nd best time run all-time on the CAC Home Course.

Fausto Pianciola 15:18 (5th Overall) a new personal best and 3rd best time run all-time on the CAC Home Course.

Emmanuel Simiyu 15:23 (7th Overall) a new personal best and 4th best time run all-time on the CAC Home Course.

Carson Wetzel 15:26 (8th Overall) and 5th best time run all-time on the CAC Home Course.

Micah Peynando 15:43 (14th Overall) a new personal best and 6th best time run all-time on the CAC Home Course.

Justin Escanuela 15:46 (16th Overall) a new personal best and 7th best time run all-time on the CAC Home Course.

Sandile Pule 15:47 (18th Overall) a new personal best and 8th best time run all-time on the CAC Home Course.

Max Lopez 16:08 (25th Overall) a new personal best and 9th best time run all-time on the CAC Home Course.

Erardo Gonzales 16:31 (34th Overall) a new personal best and 10th best time run all-time on the CAC Home Course

Gabrial Escanuela 16:44 (36th Overall).

The Men Placed 1st overall out of 4 Teams, a total of 48 athletes competed. The Vaqueros had a 15:19 team average from 1-5 and a 14 second spread.