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November 14, 2011
PIONEERS TURN IN BEST-EVER FINISH AT NATIONAL MEET
HOBBS, N.M. --- Led by sophomore Pete Jaros (Brother Rice H.S.), the Prairie State College men's cross country team topped of its most impressive season in program history with a solid showing Saturday at the NJCAA Cross Country Championship at Ocotillo Golf Club.

The Pioneers, who placed second at the NJCAA Region IV meet (Oct. 29) and third at the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference meet (Oct. 22), finished 30th at the national meet.

Jaros worked his way through the dust and wind of the eight-kilometer course in a time of 29 minutes, 35 seconds, finishing 137th overall.

Freshman Malik Dorris (Romulus H.S., Mich.) turned in a 154th-place showing with a clocking of 29:52.

Freshman Muhammad Chattha (Niles North H.S.), (161st place, 29:57), sophomore Jose Garcia (Bloom H.S.), (194th, 30:28), and sophomore Josh Martin (Crete-Monee H.S.), (212, 30:53) completed the Pioneers' attack.

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October 29, 2011
MARTIN BECOMES PSC’S FIRST ALL-REGION IV RUNNER
PALOS HILLS, Ill. --- Prairie State College sophomore men’s cross country runner Josh Martin (Crete-Monee H.S.) earned an honor that no Pioneer before him can lay claim to: A place on the NJCAA All-Region IV Team.

Martin ripped through the eight-kilometer course Saturday in a time of 27 minutes, 31 seconds. His ninth-place finish earned him all-region recognition.

Martin and his Pioneers’ teammates also posted their best Region IV finish in school history with a second-place result in the team standings (92 points). DuPage claimed the region title with a 68-point showing.

“I’m just extremely proud of all of our athletes,” PSC head coach Oscar Espinosa said. “What we did Saturday really is a tribute to our entire team and all of the hard work that they’ve put into their training this year.

“If we can continue to produce results like we have this season in years to come, we’re going to began to really attract some of the major talent from some of the top high schools in our area.”

Martin wasn’t the only Pioneer to have a big day either.

Freshman Malik Dorris (Romulus H.S., Mich.) finished 14th overall with a clocking of 27:57.

Although Dorris was not an all-region member, both he and sophomore Peter Jaros (Brother Rice H.S.), (21st, 28:41) will join Martin at the NJCAA Championship in  Hobbs, N.M. on Nov. 12.

Freshman Muhammad Chattha (Niles North H.S.), (26th, 29:03), sophomore Jose Garcia (Bloom H.S.), (32nd, 29:29), sophomore Travis Lewis (Thornwood H.S.), (350th, 30:56), freshman O’Sha Richardson (Thornton H.S.), (55th, 31:44), freshman Dominick Damiani (Bloom H.S.), (60th, 33;34), freshman Aki Allen (Crete-Monee H.S.), (63rd, 34:28) and sophomore Dylan Cunningham (Thornwood H.S.), (69th, 36:35) rounded out the Pioneers’ attack.

PSC’s women’s team did not field a complete squad and were not factored into the team standings.

The Pioneers were led by freshman Cassandra Castillo-Arreola (Thornton H.S.), (38th, 23:58).

Freshmen Karen Taylor (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.), (48th, 25:19), Amanda Fordon (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.), (53rd, 27:00) and Guadalupe Hernandez (Midwest H.S.), (57th, 28:54) completed the Pioneers’ foursome.

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October 22, 2011
PIONEERS COMPETE AT SKYWAY MEET
PALOS HILLS, Ill. --- Both the Prairie State College men’s and women’s cross country teams took part in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Championship Meet Saturday at Moraine Valley.

The Prairie State men’s squad turned in its best Skyway finish in program history with a third-place showing at the meet.

Sophomore Josh Martin (Crete-Monee H.S.) led the charge for PSC with a seventh-place effort, covering the eight-kilometer course in a time of 28 minutes, four seconds (5:39 per mile).

Freshman Muhammad Chattha (Niles North H.S.) wasn’t far behind with a 13th-place effort which resulted in a clocking of 28:37.

Freshman Malik Dorris (Romulus H.S., Mich.), (16th place, 28:51), sophomore Pete Jaros (Brother Rice H.S.), (19th place, 29:02), sophomore Jose Garcia (Bloom H.S.), (27th place, 29:59), freshman O’Sha Richardson (Thornton H.S.), (35th, 31:16), sophomore Travis Lewis (38th, 31:53), freshman Aki Allen (Crete-Monee H.S.), (33:42) and sophomore Dylan Cunningham (Thornwood H.S.), (49th, 37:38) rounded out the Pioneers’ attack.

On the women’s side, the Pioneers finished fourth in the team standings.

Freshman Karen Taylor (Crete-Monee H.S.) was the top Pioneer, delivering a 17th-place showing in a time of 23:50 on the five-kilometer course.

Fellow freshmen Cassandra Castillo-Arreola (Thornton H.S.), (18th, 24:16), Amanda Fordon (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.), (28th, 27:13), Guadalupe Hernandez (33rd, 28:37) and Karen Mendoza (Thornwood H.S.), (34th, 29:58) completed PSC’s lineup.

The Pioneers will take to the race course next on Oct. 29 when they compete in the NJCAA Region IV Championship at Moraine Valley.

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October 15, 2011
CHATTHA, PSC MEN MAKE HISTORY
STERLING, Ill. --- It takes a little more than 30-mile-per-hour gusts to slow down Prairie State College freshman Muhammad Chattha (Niles North H.S.).

Anyone who doesn’t believe this should have seen him in action Saturday.

Chattha cut through whipping winds with ease, attacking the blustery race course at Sterling High School with authority and hammering his way to the individual championship at the Sauk Valley Inviational.

Chattha covered the eight-kilometer course in a time of 29 minutes, one second.

 While Chattha’s efforts earned him a nice individual recognition, they also factored into a much bigger accomplishment as PSC’s men’s team claimed its first team championship in the six-year history of the Pioneers’ program.

“This win today was exactly what our team needed,” PSC head coach Oscar Espinosa said. “With the conference meet coming up next week, we can really use what we did today as a nice catapult to what we want to do at conference.”

Needless to say, Espinosa was also quite impressed with the performance of his lead runner.

“The wind was definitely a factor today,” Espinosa said. “One of the reasons that Muhammad was able to have so much success today ,despite the wind, was due to the fact that he was one of the strongest runners in the field. He works out in the weight room very hard and the fact that he is so strong helped him a lot.”

Chattha wasn’t the only Pioneer who raced well.

PSC placed four runners in the top 15 as sophomore Josh Martin (Crete-Monee H.S.), (3rd place, 29:18), sophomore Pete Jaros (Brother Rice H.S.), (11th, 30:51), freshman Malik Dorris (Romulus H.S.), (12th, 30:56) and sophomore Jose Garcia (Bloom), (25th, 32:04) all accomplished the feat.

Sophomore Dylan Cunningham (Thornwood H.S.), (40:38) also turned in a strong effort.

PSC also had four women’s runners compete as freshman Karen Taylor (Crete-Monee H.S) led the way, posting a time of 25 minutes, 10 seconds.

Freshmen Amanda Fordon (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.), (28:15), Guadalupe Hernandez (Midwest H.S.), (30:22) and Felicia Willis (Thornton H.S.), (33:07) also ran.

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October 7, 2011
PIONEERS COMPETE AT BENEDICTINE INVITE
LISLE, Ill. --- Both the Prairie State College men’s and women’s cross country team competed Friday at the Benedictine University Eagle invitational.

PSC head coach Oscar Espinosa, keeping an eye on the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Championships Oct. 22 opted to rest his top-seven men’s runners in an attempt to allow them the chance to rest and recuperate as the conference meet quickly approaches.

The PSC men’s squad finished in 11th place and was led by sophomore Jose Garcia (Bloom H.S.) who turned in a time of 31 minutes, 33 seconds.

Freshman O’Sha Richardson (Thornton H.S.) wasn’t far off Garcia’s pace, posting a 32:04 clocking.

Freshman Aki Allen (Crete-Monee H.S.), (35:16), freshman Dominick Damiani (Bloom H.S.), (35:52) and sophomore Travis Lewis (Thornwood H.S.), (39:25) rounded out the Pioneers’ lineup.

Freshman Karen Taylor (Crete-Monee H.S.) led the charge for the PSC women, who did not field a full team, covering the six-kilometer course in 32:51.

Freshmen Cassandra Castillo-Arreola (Thornridge H.S.), (34:45), Amanda Fordon (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.), (35:33) and Antoinette Sullivan (Bloom H.S.), (41:48) completed PSC’s competitors.

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October 1, 2011
PIONEERS COMPETE AT SEAN EARL INVITATIONAL
CHICAGO, Ill. --- Both the Prairie State College men’s and women’s cross country teams competed Saturday at the prestigious Sean Earl Invitational hosted by Loyola University.

The Pioneers’ men’s squad produced a 35th-place finish out of 48 teams and was led by another standout effort from sophomore Josh Martin (Crete-Monee H.S.).

Martin attacked the hilly and windy course along Chicago’s lakefront with authority, navigating the five-mile race in a time of 28 minutes, 22 seconds. For his efforts, Martin was named the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week for a second time this season.

Not far behind Martin was freshman Muhammad Chattha (Niles North H.S.) who produced a personal best clocking of 28:49 in Friday’s less-than-ideal conditions.

Sophomore Pete Jaros (Brother Rice H.S.) also produced another strong outing, turning in a 29:10 performance.

Freshman Malik Dorris (Romulus H.S., Mich.), (29:21), sophomore Jose Garcia (Bloom H.S.), (29:53), freshman O’Sha Richardson (Thornton H.S.), (30:31) and sophomore Travis Lewis (Thornwood H.S.), (32:53) completed the Pioneers’ top-seven athletes.

Freshman Aki Allen (Crete-Monee H.S.), (33:36) and freshman Dominick Damiani (Bloom H.S.), (33:48) also competed.

The PSC women were led by another strong race from freshman Karen Taylor (Crete-Monee H.S.). Taylor turned in a clocking of 25:12 on the three-mile course.

Freshman Amanda Fordon (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.), (26:16), freshman Karen Mendoza (Thornwood H.S.), (28:10), freshman Guadalupe Hernandez (Midwest H.S.), (31:24) and freshman Felicia Willis (Thornton H.S.), (35:11) completed the PSC scorers.

The Pioneers will race again this Friday (Oct. 7) at the Benedictine University Eagle Invitational.

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September 17, 2011
PIONEERS COMPETE WELL AT CONCORDIA
MEQUON, Wis. --- Both the Prairie State College men’s and women’s cross country teams turned in solid efforts Saturday at the Concordia Invitational.

The Pioneers’ men’s squad placed eighth out of 11 teams while the PSC women grabbed a 12th-place finish out of 13 teams.

PSC’s men were led by sophomore Josh Martin (Crete-Monee H.S.). Martin blasted through the five-mile course in a time of 28 minutes, nine seconds and finished in 32nd place.

Martin was followed by freshman Muhammad Chattha (Niles North H.S.), (44th place, 28:57), sophomore Pete Jarros (Brother Rice H.S.), (45th, 29:01), freshman Malik Dorris (Romulus H.S., Mich.), (49th place, 29:16) and freshman O’Sha Richardson (Thornton H.S.), (54th, 30:12) rounded out the Pioneers’ scorers.

Sophomore Jose Garcia (Bloom H.S.), (57th, 30:33), freshman Dominick Damiani (70th, 33:08) and freshman Aki Allen (Crete-Monee H.S.), (71st, 33:51) rounded out the Pioneers’ lineup.

On the women’s side, freshman Karen Taylor (Crete-Monee H.S.) placed 56th overall with a time of 29:52.

Freshmen Amanda Fordon (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.), (71st, 32:19), freshman Cassandra Castillo-Arreola (Thornton H.S.), (71st, 33:28), Karen Mendoza (Thornwood H.S.), (73rd, 34:05), Guadalupe Hernandez (Midwest H.S.), (77th, 35:49) and Felicia Willis (85th, 46:13) rounded out the Pioneers’ attack.

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September 9, 2011
MARTIN HAS RECORD-SETTING DAY
AURORA, Ill. --- Prairie State College sophomore Josh Martin (Crete-Monee H.S.) had himself quite the day Friday afternoon at the Aurora University Spartan Classic.

The first-year member of the Pioneers’ men’s cross country squad took down his program’s eight-kilometer record of 28 minutes, 51 seconds, previously held by PSC assistant coach Keith Burke.

Martin set the new mark at 28:22.

Burke’s school-best was set at the 2008 Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Meet.

Thanks to two other strong performances, Burkes’ time is now the fourth-fastest in school history as freshman Malik Dorris (Romulus H.S., Mich.), (28:38, 85th place) and sophomore Pete Jaros (Brother Rice H.S.), (28:45, 88th) also surpassed the old standard.

The Pioneer men, who placed ninth out of 15 teams, also picked up strong efforts from freshman Muhammad Chattha (Niles North H.S.), (29:01, 94th) and freshman Matt Hensen (Beecher H.S.), (29:05, 96th) to round out their top-five.

Sophomore Jose Garcia (Bloom H.S.), (29:47, 112th), freshman O’Sha Richardson (32:35, 149th), sophomore Travis Lewis (Thornwood H.S.), (33:44, 162nd), freshman Ricky Hall (Crete-Monee H.S.), (34:11, 166th), freshman Aki Allen (Crete-Monee H.S.), (35:19, 169th), freshman Dominick Damiani (Bloom H.S.), (35:55, 172nd) and sophomore Dylan Cunningham (Thornwood H.S.), (36:41, 174th), rounded out PSC’s remaining racers.

On the women’s side, freshman Karen Taylor (Crete-Monee H.S.) led the way with an 85th –place showing and clocking of 29:32 on the six-kilometer course.

Freshman Cassandra Castillo-Arreola (Thornridge H.S.), (31:32, 107th), freshman Karen Mendoza (Thornwood H.S.), (33:08, 114th), freshman Amanda Fordon (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.), (34:07, 117th) and freshman Guadalupe Hernandez (Midwest H.S.), (34:39, 118th), completed the Pioneers’ attack.

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September 3, 2011
PIONEER MEN AND WOMEN OPEN SEASON WITH A FAST START
SUGAR GROVE, Ill. --- Starting a new season off on the right foot is important no matter what the sport.

Both the Prairie State College men’s and women’s cross country teams took this to heart on Saturday, turning in a pair of strong team efforts at the Waubonsee Invitational.

The Pioneers took home second-place honors in both the men’s and women’s team standings.

The Pioneer men tallied 52 points and were led by sophomore Pete Jaros (Brother Rice H.S.). Jaros placed fourth overall with a five-mile time of 30 minutes, 43 seconds.

Jaros wasn’t the only Pioneer to turn in a strong showing on the men’s side. Freshman Malik Dorris (Romulus H.S., Mich.) placed eighth with a clocking of 31:31.

Sophomore Josh Martin (Crete-Monee H.S.), (11th place, 31:40), freshman O’Sha Richardson (Thornton H.S.), (16th, 32:08), freshman Matt Hensen (Beecher H.S.), (17th, 32:45), sophomore Jose Garcia (Bloom H.S.), (18th, 32:58) and sophomore Dominick Damiani (Bloom H.S.), (27th, 36:56) rounded out the Pioneers’ lineup.

On the women’s side, freshman Karen Taylor (Crete-Monee H.S.) posted a time of 23:57 and a 16th-place finish on the three-mile course community college standings.

Following Taylor were freshmen Cassandra Castillo-Arreola, (Thornridge H.S.), (17th, 24:25), Amanda Fordon (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.), (9th place, 26:50), Karen Mendoza (Thornwood H.S.), (23rd, 29:45) and Lupe Hernandez (Midwest H.S.), (24th, 31:11) completed PSC’s lineup.

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2011-2012 MEN’S/WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY LETTERS OF INTENT SIGNEES
The following student-athletes have signed NJCAA letters of intent to continue their academic and cross country careers at Prairie State College beginning in the Fall 2011 semester:

Women's Cross Country

• Felicia Willis (Thornton H.S.)
• Guadalupe Hernandez (Midwest H.S.)
• Karen Mendoza (Thornwood H.S.)
• Amanda Fordon (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.)
• Cassandra Castillo-Arreola (Thornridge H.S.)
• Karen Taylor (Crete-Monee H.S.)

Men's Cross Country

• Ricky Hall (Crete-Monee H.S.)
• O'Sha Richardson (Thornton H.S.)
• Malik Dorris (Romulus H.S., Mich.)
• Matthew Hensen (Beecher H.S.)
• Josh Martin (Crete-Monee H.S.)
• Muhammad Chattha (Niles North H.S.)

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PIONEERS AT THE NEXT LEVEL
The following 2010-11 Prairie State College men’s and women's cross country runners are currently attending four-year institutions.

Women's Cross Country

• Hailey Ongman - Carthage College
• Kara Boss - Trinity Christian University

Men's Cross Country

• Steve Tijerina - Governors State University

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