COLBY, Kan. – For a second-straight week, a Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference cross country team has swept the KJCCC Cross Country Runner of the Week awards as Butler’s Elizabeth Hernandez and Itumeleng Ngxabazi have each earned their first honors of the 2025 season.  

Elizabeth Hernandez (Butler) – KJCCC Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Week
Elizabeth Hernandez finished in 8th place out of 129 participants at the JK Gold Classic, the first race of the season for the Grizzlies. Hernandez was the top NJCAA finisher and helped the Grizzly women finish sixth as a team, the top-finishing NJCAA team.

Itumeleng Ngxabazi (Butler) – KJCCC Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Week
Itumeleng Ngxabazi finished in 7th place out of 166 participants in the JK Gold Classic, the first race of the year for the Grizzlies. Ngxabazi was the top NJCAA finisher and helped lead the Butler men to a fourth-place team finish as the highest-finishing NJCAA team.

Other Women’s Runners Nominated:
Nadine Mcintyre – Colby
Daniela Cerda – Dodge City
Tara Ozinga - Highland

Other Men’s Runners Nominated:
Kenan Delestre – Colby
Josue Vega – Dodge City