GULF SHORES, Ala. — Ricardo Banuelos was on a mission to prove that he is better than the 30th-place finish he had at the NJCAA National Championships last weekend and Kaitlyn Shoemaker was out to cement her status as one of the elite junior college cross county runners in the nation after her ninth-place showing at the National Championships.
Both Allen Community College sophomores were able to accomplish what they set out to do on Saturday at the NJCAA Half-Marathon Classic in Gulf Shores, Ala.
Shoemaker shattered the previous school-record by running a 1:22:09 and finishing fourth in the nation.
“With that time she could make some money at road races,” Allen coach Vince DeGrado said. “She will end up being a professional runner if she sticks with it and has the right coaching.”
The previous record was held by Gabby Reese, a two-time All-American at Allen.
The run earned Shoemaker her second All-American nod in seven days as the top-five runners.
Banuelos capped off a fantastic sophomore year by rebounding from his national championship performance and proving his endurance and finishing with a 1:09:43.
“It showed that it was not a fluke at nationals,” DeGrado said. “He proved once again how fit he is.”
The time earned Banuelos a fifth-place finish and an All-American distinction.
They each led their squads to third-place team marks. Both the men and the women each missed out by one spot from bring home a trophy.
“For the school, community and town, I just wish that we would have been able to bring a national trophy back,” DeGrado said.
After Shoemaker, Vicky Ibarra finished eighth with a 1:26:54 and Abby Steinhauser was 14th with a 1:29:56 to round out the team-scoring.
Kristina Silver finished 20th with a 1:33:45.
After Banuelos, Phillip Langmann – who was an All-American at the National Championships last week – just missed out on All-American status again by taking eighth with a 1:11:54. Paul Becker rounded out the team scorers by taking 12th with a 1:12:21.
Ludreche Bouanga finished 20th with and 1:14:49 and Alejandro Ruiz was 23rd with a 1:15:20.
Banuelos, Shoemaker earn All-American status
