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Chaves Competes in Nationals
Running in his first-ever national meet Nov. 19, sophomore harrier Kevin Chaves ran a solid race in the NCAA Division III Cross Country Nationals in Delaware, Ohio, finishing 171st in the field with a time of 27:59.
This was by far the most challenging course we have run all year,” said Occidental Cross Country Coach Troy Engle. After a strong start, Chaves began to lag in the last mile in a race in which mere seconds separate literally hundreds of runners. “Nonetheless, it was a good showing for a sophomore and will do our program great benefit as he is able now to come back and help the others from the experience,” Engle said.
Chaves qualified to represent Occidental at the nationals with a ninth-place finish at the West Regionals in Salem, Ore. on Nov. 12. Chaves, who was timed at 25:55 on the wet, sloppy course, was one of five Tigers, male and female, who earned All-Region honors by finishing in the top 35. He was the first male Tiger to compete in the nationals since 1997.