An All-American afternoon brought the Chaparrals an NJCAA title during Saturday's NJCAA Division III men's cross country championship in Richmond, Va.
 
Led by Kevin Diederich's second-place finish, the Chaps secured the title with All-American finishes from Jack Schultz (fourth), Miguel Capulin (eighth) and Roman Nevarez (ninth).
 
Sophomore Connor Vine capped the Chaps' scoring with a 21^st place effort as COD totaled 44 points for the title. Fellow Region 4 rivals Harper (50) and Joliet (85) finished second and third, respectively.
 
"The ultimate is winning a national championship and we ran with a championship performance,'' head coach Mallory Dominguez said. "The guys went out smart and in control. They were tactical. Kevin fought through injuries and led the way. Jack was unbelievable, running confidence and strength. Same thing with Miguel and Roman.''
 
Diederich ran the 8,000-meter course in 26 minutes, .2 seconds and Schultz was just 26 seconds back. Both Capulin and Nevarez broke 27 minutes, which Dominguez figured was necessary if the Chaps were to win the team title.
 
Vine moved up from 50^th to inside the top 25 and his 21^st place at 28:06.9 brought home the team title, COD's second in three seasons.
 
"They got the job and proved that a great deal of hard work and dedication pay off,'' Dominguez said. "These guys deserve it completely. It's just a great way to cap the season and get ready for track and chase No. 5.''
 
All told, COD's seven runners all finished in the top 25 with Addisu Wolski (24^th, 28:34.7) and Patrick Hohe 25^th (28:39.8).

On Tuesday morning, Diederich, Capulin, Nevarez, Vine and Wolski competed in the NJCAA Half Marathon.

The Chaps, who were the only D3 program competing in the event, finished 14th with 145 points. Diederich finished 28th (1:10:40.6), Capulin 65th (1:15:45.8), Nevarez 75th (1:16:49.7), Vine 76th (1:16:49.8), and Wolski (102nd, 1:19:11.9).

D1 power Iowa Western won the event with 11 points, led by champion Barnabas Ndiwa, who ran 1:03:47.1.

NJCAA Division III Men's Cross Country
Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024
8000 m | Pole Green Park
Richmond, Va.

Team: 1. Chaparrals 44, 2. Harper 50, 3. Joliet 85, 4. Onondaga 211, 5. Kellogg 219
Individuals
2 Kevin Diederich 26:00.2
4 Jack Schultz 26:26.7
8 Miguel Capulin 26:40.9
9 Roman Nevarez 26:47.2
21 Connor Vine 28:06.9
24 Addisu Wolski 28:34.7
25 Patrick Hohe 28:39.8