Palatine, IL: The Harper men's cross country team finished second at the NJCAA Region 4 Cross Country Championships on Saturday, Oct. 31, at Hawks Haven, placing four runners inside the top 12 and earning a runner-up team finish.
Sophomore Ryan Golden led the Hawks with an outstanding performance, capturing the individual Region 4Â championship with a time of 25:52.8. Golden's victory came after a tactical race in which he stayed close to College of DuPage's Michael Gamboa before making his move late in the race.Â
"From the get-go, I knew there was a chance I could win. It was never out of the picture, so the whole race I sat on Gamboa as much as possible. When he made an early move, I thought it was over for me. I thought Gamboa had a lot left, but it turned out to be the opposite. I had more left, and he faded. Coming off the pond, when I caught back up and passed him, I thought he was sticking with me, so I finished with everything I had left," Golden said.
Sebastian Welc then followed closely behind, earning third place in 26:52.6 to give Harper two runners on the overall podium.
Ethan Waddell added a seventh-place finish in 27:51.4, while freshman Mozart Ontiveros placed 12th in 28:21.2. Kevin Martinez finished 18th in 30:01.2, recording a personal best. Fernando Velásquez crossed the line in 25th place with a time of 31:32.7, followed by Nestor Sanchez (/Conant High School) in 26th at 31:54.2, also setting a personal best.
Harper finished with 41 points, behind College of DuPage, which claimed the team championship with 30 points. Joliet Junior College finished third with 71 points.
Despite falling short of another regional team title, the Hawks remain focused on their next opportunity at the national level. Welc believes the team has the ability to compete for another championship.
"I think the team had a good showing at regionals," Welc said. "For Harper to win again, we need the team to pass as many DuPage runners as possible. The national title is in our grasp."
Waddell also took confidence from his regional performance, believing that a more controlled approach could help him improve at nationals.
"My biggest takeaway was even with how fast we went out, I was able to hold on and push through all the pain I was feeling," Waddell said. "It showed me that if I pace myself correctly, I can have an even greater race at nationals."
For Ontiveros, the upcoming championship presents an opportunity to compete for a team title and earn individual recognition during his first year at the collegiate level.
"I am excited to have the chance to compete for a team national title and being in contention of becoming an All-American all within my first year competing at the college level," Ontiveros said.
Martinez is also entering nationals with high expectations and a clear goal for the Hawks.
"My goals for nationals is to win it. It is my destiny, to race at the best of my abilities and help the team get another national title," Martinez said.
The Hawks will now turn their attention to the NJCAA Division III Cross Country National Championships on Saturday, Nov. 14, in Huntsville, Alabama, where they will look to compete for another national championship.
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