MESA MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY FINISHES FIFTH AT NJCAA DII NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Monday Novemeber 10, 2025 - 1:00 p.m. | Dylan DeVlieger
The Mesa Community College Men's Cross Country team set the tone for championship day in Fort Dodge, Iowa, racing through snow, cold, and slick conditions to earn a fifth-place finish at the NJCAA Division II National Championship on Saturday morning. The Thunderbirds totaled 230 points, marking their fourth top-five finish in the last five seasons and continuing the program's tradition of national excellence.
Running in the same tough conditions later faced by the women's team, Mesa battled through the freezing temperatures and snow-covered course at Lakeside Golf Course. Despite the footing challenges, the T-Birds showed grit and determination from start to finish.
Cal Schnepf once again led the charge for Mesa, placing 25th overall (27:37.8) to pace the Thunderbird lineup. Brady Moar finished 38th (28:01.9), followed by Alex Lopez in 48th (28:10.2), Dean Haller in 53rd (28:14.6), and Benett Kaup in 80th (28:45.8). Josef Iker rounded out the group in 84th (28:53.0).
While the T-Birds narrowly missed a spot on the team podium, Head Coach Daniel Pescador said he was proud of their continued consistency and commitment to maintaining a championship-level standard. "We keep trying to chase that podium," Pescador said. "But what we're proud about is the culture, the mentality, and the elite level we've built year after year. A top-five finish is still an amazing accomplishment. The guys were a little disappointed today, but I told them, 'Look, we're fifth again.' Every team in the country would love to have just one top-five year, and we've done it four times in five seasons. That speaks volumes about their buy-in, their commitment, and why they chose to come run for Mesa."
Sophomore Cal Schnepf continued his strong season, emerging as Mesa's clear No. 1 runner and a reliable leader throughout the fall. Pescador said his development over the past two years has been remarkable. "He's had a phenomenal two years," Pescador said. "He made great breakthroughs this season and has grown so much as a competitor. He missed his goal of being on the podium today, but he battled, and I'm really proud of how he's handled the whole year. His freshman year, he sometimes struggled with trusting his talent and confidence, but this year we never had to talk about that—he knew he belonged. He's been that leader we needed, both in races and outside of them, always leading by example. He was up there with the top 10–12 guys for most of the race, and even when it got tough, he kept competing. That's all we can ask for."
The weather made the already challenging national course even tougher, forcing teams to adapt. Pescador said while the T-Birds didn't have their best day statistically, their effort and attitude stood out. "I don't want to blame the conditions because we all had to run on it," he said. "But it was challenging—the cold and footing affected everyone differently. For us, it was just a tough day, but they never quit. They kept fighting and kept competing, and that's something to be proud of."
Mesa's fifth-place national finish adds to an impressive recent stretch of success for the program, which has firmly established itself as one of the most consistent in the country. Even on a snowy morning in Iowa, the Thunderbirds once again showed the heart, depth, and culture that have come to define Mesa Cross Country.
