Last season, the Moraine Valley Community College women’s cross country team started with one woman on the team. This year, the full team of seven recaptured both the conference and region championships, the latter in a stunning victory to earn a trip to nationals to end the season.
Head Coach Dimitri Dimizas knew he had talented recruits to join the two returners who ran at the national championship in 2023, and the gutsy spirit of each carried the team to several successful finishes.
“Our goal was to win conference and get as many runners to nationals. Getting the entire team there was not what I expected. It was the perfect mix of Sandburg College not on their best day and us on our best. We’re racers and step up in races when needed,” said Dimizas, who finished his ninth season leading the program in addition to earning his 12th Conference Coach of the Year award.
To begin their sweep of success, the Cyclones earned their 11th Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference championship on Oct. 19. The following week, they upset the nationally ranked and favored Sandburg College team by defeating them by one point at the NJCAA Region 4 championship race to take the crown. This victory earned them their first national ranking of the season – 19th – and an opportunity for the entire team to compete at the NJCAA Division II Cross Country Championship in Richmond, Virginia, where they finished 26th overall.
“The regional win was a highlight because we weren’t even expected to win,” Dimizas said. “At nationals they had nerves, but they performed the way they have all season. A lot of people will practice well but get in their heads too much or have too many nerves on race day. These women were ready to compete.”
All the runners had setbacks to overcome this season, but meeting these challenges yielded many accomplishments.
Among the newcomers were the top runners on the team – Desiree Mendoza (Bremen) and Mia Villa (Reavis). They each took turns finishing first for the Cyclones in different races. Villa missed a large portion of the start of the season due to injury while Mendoza led the team until she suffered her own injury. They each earned All-Conference and All-Region honors. “Having these two was crucial for our success. And both have high expectations for next season,” Dimizas said.
Freshman Rylee Milenkovic (Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences) was a pleasant surprise for the Cyclones. Instead of running track in the spring in high school, she played soccer, so Dimizas was unsure of her cross country speed. She ended up being one of the top runners for the Cyclones, earning both All-Conference and All-Region honors. “She shows so much potential because she’s so new to the sport. She only started cross country her junior year of high school,” Dimizas said.
Mariah Karamagianis (Sandburg) and Annabel Lipkie (Stagg) were the two national runners from last season. They put in the work in the offseason and collected their second consecutive All-Conference and All-Region honors. They are among just 15 Cyclone runners who have earned the honors both years on behalf of Moraine Valley. “Them having a full team this year was extra motivating,” Dimizas said. “I’m happy they were able to compete again at nationals and this time with a team.”
Freshman Hannah Raimbault (Sandburg) was injured midseason but bounced back to earn some personal records and All-Conference honors. “I’m so proud of her growth throughout the season,” Dimizas said. Sophomore Lizbeth Juarez-Castillo (Sandburg) also was injured this season and most of last year; however, she attended every practice and meet, supporting her team and cheering for them.
The women’s team connected well with the men’s team, creating a solidified and successful Cyclone program. Dimizas will miss the sophomores but expects the four freshmen to return next year. He has some promising recruits to add to the mix, and that combination could create an exciting group to watch in 2025.
For updates on Cyclones Athletics, visit mvcyclones.com.
For news media inquiries, contact Maura Vizza, Moraine Valley communications specialist and sports information coordinator, at (708) 974-5742 or Vizzam@morainevalley.edu.
