BLINN CROSS COUNTRY PREVIEW
Story by Joe Alberico, Blinn College Sports Information
The Blinn College men’s and women’s cross country teams have spent their first two seasons building a foundation.
Entering year three, which begins at the UIW Twilight hosted by the University of the Incarnate Word on Tuesday in San Antonio, the Buccaneers are focused on expanding upon it.
After both Blinn teams qualified for the NJCAA Division I Men’s & Women’s Cross Country Championships during the program’s inaugural 2024 campaign, the Buccaneers took significant steps forward last season. The Blinn men finished 14th nationally, while the women placed 18th after finishing 20th and 21st, respectively, in 2024.
The Bucs also made history at home last season, sweeping the Region 14 Championships in Brenham for the first time in program history. Blinn collected 15 individual all-region honors, while sophomore Matthew Binkley won the men’s individual regional championship and teammate Ryan Fernandez placed second.
Both Binkley and Fernandez return this season as part of an experienced men’s squad, while the women’s team brings back several key contributors from its championship roster.
Third-year head coach Jesse Parker, who has led Blinn since the program launched, said the teams’ continued growth has been evident both on the course and in recruiting.
“We’re growing, and we keep growing,” Parker said. “Recruiting is getting easier. We’re developing a strong reputation among runners and coaches, especially in Texas. Recognition and branding have made a tremendous difference.
“The groundwork we’ve laid has broadened our net in terms of recruitment and the quality of athletes we’ve been able to reel in. The athletes who come here know we’re serious about distance running.”
Blinn’s men’s team enters 2026 as the defending Region 14 champion and with nine returning runners, including Binkley and Fernandez.
Binkley earned United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association NJCAA Division I Cross Country Atlantic Region Male Athlete of the Year recognition following his standout sophomore campaign. Parker was also honored by the USTFCCCA as the NJCAA Division I Cross Country Atlantic Region Men’s and Women’s Coach of the Year.
Binkley and Fernandez will be joined by returning sophomores Michael Dudley, Fernando Garza, Alan Guerrero, Aidan Hernandez, Gage Horejsi, Brandon Lopez, and Nolan Schreiber.
Parker said the return of Blinn’s top two regional finishers provides valuable leadership for a roster that also features an influx of talented newcomers.
“Ryan Fernandez and Matthew Binkley are both returning, and that’s a good sign that we’re operating at a high level,” Parker said. “We don’t have people departing the program each year. We have experienced and talented leadership, and the guys around them are developing their abilities and realizing their talents.”
The freshman class has also added competition throughout the roster.
“James Hadwin, a freshman, is as good as Matt and Ryan were coming in,” Parker said. “Mauricio Granda is also ready. They were ready to run the day they got here. Then we have another exciting prospect in Adrian Ramirez, who was the 2A state cross country champion last year.
“It’s hard to predict who our top seven athletes are going to be this year, but that’s a good thing. The talent is there.”
Parker believes Blinn’s depth will allow the Bucs to compete at a high level throughout the season, including at meets featuring NCAA Division I competition.
“Our individuals can go toe-to-toe with some of the better runners at some of those early Division I-level meets,” Parker said. “My expectations are for us to go in and hold our own as a team and as individuals.”
The ultimate goal, however, will be another jump in the national standings.
“We want to be top eight in the nation at the national meet,” Parker said.
Binkley said the team set that goal collectively.
“We have a lot of really talented freshmen who have put in a lot of work over the summer,” Binkley said. “We’re going to have a really good team this year. We discussed our team goals, and everyone made a unanimous decision that we want to be in the top eight in the nation.”
Binkley said the growing roster also has created an atmosphere of friendly competition and accountability.
“All of the returners do a good job of giving bits of advice to the new guys,” he said. “All of us are recruiting people with our performances. It’s super awesome. There’s friendly competition, whether it’s on a run where you’re pushing through the last mile or so. People are pushing each other here. When you have more people sticking with you on a run, it pushes you further.”
Despite the lofty expectations, Binkley said the Bucs understand the importance of patience during a long season.
“It’s our job and our goal to be the best that we can be at the end of the season,” Binkley said. “It’s great to start strong at the beginning of the season, but we don’t want to burn out at the end. We need to be patient in the early parts of the season and avoid trying to win the national championship in the first meet of the season.
“The name of the game is miles in the tank.”
The Blinn women also are coming off a historic campaign after winning the Region 14 championship and improving three spots nationally from the program’s first season.
Returning runners include Chloe Ross, Kaitlin Wilson, Belicia Delk, Rosario Botello, Brooke Berryman, and Kylee Bartee.
Parker said the balance between experienced sophomores and a talented freshman class has positioned the Bucs for continued improvement.
“Chloe Ross is back, Rosario is back, Kaitlin Wilson is back,” Parker said. “The women are younger, but there’s a lot of talent in the freshman class. There’s a lot of good balance between freshmen and sophomores on the women’s side.”
Among the newcomers making an early impression are Jaquelin Garcia-Padron and Mehria Rashidi, according to Parker.
“Jaquelin Garcia-Padron is impressive,” he said. “Mehria Rashidi’s work ethic is off the charts. She’s mature in her approach to everything she does. Annie and Ximena are in phenomenal running shape. That’s a testament to the efforts they’ve put in this summer.”
Parker said the competition for spots in Blinn’s top seven should continue to strengthen the team as the season progresses.
“The top seven are starting to take shape,” Parker said. “The top runners are emerging, but the middle is up in the air as runners continue to mature and develop. The quality of depth will push us.
“Our fifth runner this year could be as good as our No. 1 runner was last year.”
Blinn’s goals include defending its regional championship, producing another individual regional champion, and making a significant leap at nationals.
“Our top goal is to defend our regional championship,” Parker said. “We want to win the individual regional title, too. The goal is to be top 10 in the nation.”
Ross said the chemistry within this year’s roster has been noticeable throughout preseason training.
“I really like the chemistry this year,” Ross said. “Everyone blends really well together. We have a great support system and a positive environment.”
Ross has watched the program evolve since its relaunch and believes each successful class can help attract even more talent to Blinn.
“The talent is getting better as the program continues,” she said. “The better the freshmen do, the better the next set of freshmen will be. We have a strong group at the top of the pack, and the girls are going to be pushing each other throughout our meets. The returners are better.”
For the sophomores, returning brings familiarity with Parker’s expectations and the demands of competing at the collegiate level.
“I think the sophomores feel like things are routine at this point,” Ross said. “They understand the training and the expectations.”
Ross said Blinn has established goals of finishing in the top 10 nationally and competing strongly against four-year programs during the regular season.
“We had a team meeting and established the goal of a top-10 finish at nationals and finishing in the top half of the team standings at NCAA meets,” she said. “I’m very excited to go out and prove that we can compete with the best teams. I’m just excited to race and push myself and my teammates.”
The men’s and women’s Region 14 Championships are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 31, in Brownsville, Texas, before the season culminates at the NJCAA Division I Men’s & Women’s Cross Country Championships on Saturday, Nov. 14, in Huntsville, Alabama. Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 53 national championships since 1987. For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com