Impressive outing
Jeff Moses
Coach Eamon Condon shocked everyone, including himself, on Oct. 2 when he took the MCC Thunderbird Cross Country Team to the ACCAC Conference Championship.”It was a mixed bag, some people performed extremely well and other people were affected by the 99 degree heat,” said Condon of the Thunderbirds’ overall performance.
Freshman Carlos Roa finished with a personal best of fourth place and a time of 26 minutes 22 seconds.
“Carlos continues to surprise, improving at a rapid rate,” Condon said
The men’s team was able to finish third overall behind Roa’s fourth place finish and a very surprising 32 place finish by Irving Garibaldi.
Garibaldi, once a long shot to make the team, was the hero of the meet for the men’s team. His finish was the difference between third and fourth place overall.
“Nobody deserves the success more than him.” said Condon of Garibaldi.
Condan complimented sophomore Melissa Peters for her best time of 19 minutes, 36 seconds for a fifth place finish.
“She is running extraordinarily well and surprising her rivals.” Condon said.
Peter’s excellent time, along with strong support of the team, received the lady T-birds a fourth overall finish.
If the heat played as big a factor as Condon thinks it did, then there should be nothing but big things ahead for the Mesa Thunderbirds.
Perhaps they will surprise us all in cooler coming months, and take a run at a national title.
