Gomez collects second all-conference honor for Badger XC

Amarillo College sophomore Ariyah Gomez became the cross country program’s first all-conference honoree and NJCAA Division I All-American a season ago.

The Randall High School alum is now a two-time all-conference selection following a 12th place finish at the Region V Championships on Oct. 28 in Hobbs, New Mexico.

Gomez earned the recognition by clocking the 10th fastest time (19 minutes 56 seconds) of runners residing on teams in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference.

“Our women’s team ran extremely well and did what they were supposed to do,” Amarillo College head coach Sean Hargrove said. “We’ll continue to work hard up to nationals and hopefully put our best foot forward in Alabama.”

The 23rd ranked Lady Badgers placed fourth out of the seven teams entered at the Region V meet and finished one spot ahead of 21st ranked Hill College.

Romie Rubio placed 19th, Rubie Trevino finished 29th, Alexia Alvarez took 44th, and Elaina Arredondo ended in 45th.

The Badger men’s team placed sixth, led by Gabe Enriquez’s 15th place finish. The sophomore and Tascosa High product broke the 26-minute barrier in an 8K race for the first time in his career.

Enriquez crossed the finish line in 25 minutes 53 seconds and was one spot away from earning all-conference honors.

Freshman Hugo Briones added another personal-record performance for the Badger men’s team. The Tulia High School graduate placed 23rd in a time of 26:25 – a 13-second improvement from his time on the same course 15 days prior to the regional meet.

Christian Rosales and Colton Thurman crossed the finish line within two seconds of one another to place 33rd and 34th respectively.

Jerin Perkins took 38th, Isael Giron was 41st, and Xavier Soto placed 47th.

The Badger men tallied 144 points and finished 11 points behind South Plains. AC finished 28 points ahead of Western Texas College.

The Amarillo College cross country program is scheduled to compete at the NJCAA Division I Championships in Huntsville, Alabama on Saturday, Nov. 11 and Tuesday, Nov. 14.

The event’s 5K and 8K races will take place on Nov. 11, followed by the half-marathon competition on Nov. 14.