Not only did the Cyclones win back-to-back titles at the NJCAA Region 4 Championship but they also had the first runner, male or female, to win Region 4 Runner of the Year since 1989.

It was an exciting day for the Cyclones that, unlike last season, were the favorites going into this race. Every runner stepped up to help the team earn a consecutive title and the seventh one in Cyclones history. The last time the women were back-to-back champs was in 2014 and 2015.

"We were favorites going into this race, but everyone still needed to do what they were capable of doing, and they certainly did," said Head Coach Dimitri Dimizas.

Eva Zimmerman had the fastest time going into this race, took control from the start and never looked back. She finished first over the 5K course out of 36 runners in 19:57.69, earning Region 4 Runner of the Year. "She was just seven seconds off her PR, but I think this was a way more impressive race because she ran all alone on a much tougher course," Dimizas explained. "She became region champ, something only Lisa Pollard had done in 1989."

Mia Villa (21:28.47, 3rd place), Fernanda Cabrera (21:54.14, 4th place) and Rylee Milenkovic (22:06.89, 6th place) were within reach of each other for the first half of the race, and that pack was the strength of the team. Villa and Cabrera earned PRs while Milenkovic wasn't far off.

Desiree Mendoza (24:27.54, 13th place) and Guadalupe Marquez (25:27.16, 18th place) ran well considering both had to miss several practices due to injuries. "They were alone for big stretches of this race, so for them to finish the way they did says a lot about them," Dimizas said.

Zimmerman, Cabrera, Mendoza, Milenkovic and Villa earned All-Region honors with the latter three earning it a second consecutive season.

"I'm so proud of what these women have accomplished and am excited they get to toe the line one final time as a team," Dimizas noted. "We'll set some goals after the national rankings come out later this week and aim to end the season on a high note."

In addition to the team accomplishments, Assistant Coach David Alvarez became the only Cyclones cross country coach, and likely the only coach in Moraine Valley's history, to win a region title as an athlete (2017) and as a coach (2025).

The men also won the region championship, making it the first time in Cyclones history both teams won the same year.

For complete results, visit here.

The Cyclones will race at the NJCAA Division II Cross Country Championship in fort Dodge, Iowa on Nov. 8.