The Cyclones are fast, and they proved it by becoming Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference champions and NJCAA Region IV runners-up at the region and conference championships at Kishwaukee College in Malta, Illinois.

This is the first time in the program's history that the men are back-to-back champs. They went up against the No. 6 nationally ranked Sandburg College team that had six international runners, yet still performed above expectations and qualified five runners for the national tournament.

Brandon Armendarez crossed the line first in the conference to earn Skyway Runner of the Year, running into fourth place overall in 26:10. Not far behind him was Jackson Sima in seventh place in 27:19 and Thomas Diaz in eighth in 27:23. Gavin Hampton crossed the line in 12th place in 27:55 right with Juan Ramos who finished in 13th in 27:56. Those five qualified for nationals along with earning All-Region and All-Conference honors. Jimmy Duffy finished in 17th place in 28:41 overall, which earned him All-Conference honors. Six men named to the All-Conference team and five All-Region are additional records for the Moraine Valley cross country program. Rounding out the effort was Scott Beveridge, who finished in 22nd in 29:26, Ryan O'Connor in 24th in 30:08 and Nicholas Cunico in 29th place in 31:16.

"We knew that Sandburg was the heavy favorite, but our men did what they needed to do and got the job done," said Head Coach Dimitri Dimizas. "Brandon had the fastest time in the conference going into the race, but he had an amazing performance where he won the conference title by more than a minute. Things fell into place, and the rest of our top five – Jackson, Tom, Gavin and Juan – became the pack we needed. Jimmy, who was the record breaking sixth All-Conference runner, and Scott rounded out our top seven. Ryan and Nick also had commendable performances to make it an overall great team day."

The five runners who punched their ticket to nationals will be joined by the Cyclone women's cross country team, who won the region title, and head to the tournament in Richmond, Virginia, on Nov. 13.