Johnson County Community College
Press Release

College Information and Publications
913-469-8500
Julie Haas, Director, ext. 3120
Peggy Graham, Writer, ext. 3425
Tyler Cundith, Sports Information Director, ext. 3122

11/20/2006
Story by Tyler Cundith

JCCC women’s win 1/2 marathon title, men finish runner-up

OVERLAND PARK, KS --  The Johnson County Community College women’s and men’s cross country teams capped their 2006 season last weekend competing in the 2006 NJCAA Half Marathon Championships in Wichita, Kan. The Lady Cavaliers captured its third NJCAA National Championship, finishing first in the field of seven team.  The just missed its first national championship finishing runner-up in the 16-team field. It is JCCC's third second-place finish in four years.  The two teams are coached by Mike Bloemker.   

Leading the women were freshman Christa Heideman and sophomore Jackie Jamison.  Both runners earned NJCAA All-American honors by placing in the top five.  Heideman placed fourth overall with a time of 1:27:59, which is the third-best time recorded by a JCCC runner in this championship.  Jamison placed fifth in 1:28:51, the fifth-best time in school history.  

Other key efforts were turned in by sophomore Felicia Fleming and freshman Kay Thomason. Fleming placed seventh overall with a time of 1:30:39, and Thomason was ninth with a time of 1:32:05.

The men were led by freshman James Tong, who finished third overall in a time of 1:10.52, and earned him All-American honors.  His time of 1:10:52 set a new school record, breaking the old time of 1:12?43 set by Brian Batliner in the 2004 championship.

Also placing in the top 10 was freshman Trevor Johanssen.  He finished 10th with a time of 1:13:30.  His time ranks as the fourth-best in team history.

Other key efforts were posted by freshman Daniel Everhart (11th-1:14:18), freshman Alex Troncoso (14th-1:14:49), freshman Grant Catloth (15th-1:15:14) and freshman Keith Cowart (17th-1:15:24).