Category: Beacon

NSAC Cross-Country All-Conference Team 2026 

Women’s All-Conference

Aiyanna Moses    Denmark Tech 1st Team All-NSAC 

Ciara Mustapher Denmark Tech 1st Team All-NSAC 

Zanyah Shabazz Denmark Tech 2nd Team All-NSAC 

Jaylen Williams Beacon 2nd Team All-NSAC 

Saleese Kind Denmark Tech NSAC Honorable Mention 

Melisa Schwab Beacon NSAC Honorable Mention 

Men’s All-Conference

James Vine-Castill Beacon 1st Team All-NSAC 

Justin Quevedo Beacon 1st Team All-NSAC 

Douglas Soto URBE 2nd Team All-NSAC 

Louis Garcia URBE 2nd Team All-NSAC 

Gabe Stern Beacon NSAC Honorable Mention 

G. Andres Guerra URBE NSAC Honorable Mention

Beacon Men, Denmark Women Claim XC Titles

UMATILLA, Fl. – The Beacon College men’s team and the ladies from Denmark Technical College took home the respective honors at the 2026 New South Conference Cross Country Meet on Saturday.

The men ran first on the 6k Florida Elks Campground course with 10 runners in total. James Vine-Castill of Beacon set the pace with a time of 26:30, followed closely by teammate Justin Quevedo at 26:37. URBE University’s Douglas Soto rounded out the platform with a time 27:15.

Denmark set a blistering pace in the 4k women’s race, claiming four of the top five spots including all three medal winners. Aiyanna Moses won the gold with a time of 19:59, followed by teammates Ciara Mustapher (20:08) and Zanyah Shabazz (20:15). There were 14 participants in all.

Congratulations to all the runners!

NSAC Cross-Country Conference Championships 2026Men’s 6KWomen’s 4k
Location: Elk’s Youth Camp of Florida, Umtalilla, Florida
Weather: Cool conditions clear sky – 85 degrees tempature
Date: September 19, 2026
Course: Grass, Hills, & Sand
Women’s IndividualTeamTimePlaceScore
Aiyanna MosesDenmark19:5911
Ciara MustapherDenmark20:0822
Zanyah ShabazzDenmark20:1533
Jaylen WilliamsBeacon20:1844
Saleese KindDenmark22:1455
Melisa SchwabBeacon.22:4366
Katherine SoroaBeacon23:2577
Bella DiDonatoBeacon.25:2488
Navaeh MathewsDenmark.28:1299
Ca’Mari HopkinsDenmark.30:391010
Dream WatsonDenmark.30:39.051111
Malasia JamisonDenmark.32:261212
Kristin BrownDenmark.32:291313
Gabriela ThomasURBE.33:44140
Brianna Harris-WaltersBeacon.36:291515
Participants: 15
Denmark PanthersTimePlaceScore
1. Aiyanna MosesDenmark19:5911
2. Ciara MustapherDenmark20:0822
3. Zanyah ShabazzDenmark20:1533
4. Saleese KindDenmark22:1455
5. Nereah MathewDenmark.28:1299
6. Ca’Mari HopkinsDenmark.30:391010
7. Dream WatsonDenmark.30:39.051111
8. Malasia JamisonDenmark.32:261212
9. Kristin BrownDenmark.32:291313
NSAC Conference ChampsScore: 20
Beacon Blazers
1. Jaylen WilliamsBeacon20:1844
2. Melisa SchwabBeacon22:1466
3, Katherine SoroaBeacon.22:4377
4. Bella DiDonatoBeacon.25:2488
5. Brianna Harris-WaltersBeacon.36:291514
Score: 39
URBE Tigers
1. Gabriel ThomasURBE.33:44140
Men’s Individuals
James Vine-CastillBeacon.26:3011
Justin QuevedoBeacon.26:3722
Douglas SotoURBE.27:1533
Louis GarciaURBE.27:2144
Gabe SternBeacon.27:2555
G. Andres GuerraURBE.30:5066
Jovan BellBeacon.30:5377
Cory Street Jr.Beacon.35:1688
James DossBeacon.36:1099
Jaylen DiamondBeacon.42:361010
Participants: 10
Team: Beacon Blazers
1. James Vine-CastillBeacon.26:3011
2. Justin QuevedoBeacon.26:3722
3. Gabe SternBeacon.27:2553
4. Jovan BellBeacon.30:5374
5. Cory Street Jr.Beacon.35:1685
6. James DossBeacon.36:1096
7. Jaylen DiamondBeacon.42:36107
NSAC Conference ChampsScore: 15
Team: URBE Tigers
1. Douglas SotoTiger.27:1530
3. Louis GaricaTiger.27:2140
6. G. Adres GuerraTiger.30:5060

Beacon College Blazers Celebrate Four USCAA National All-Academic Honorees for 2025

LEESBURG, Fla. – Beacon College is celebrating standout academic achievement as four members of the Beacon Blazers cross-country program have been named to the 2025 USCAA National All-Academic Team. The honor recognizes student-athletes who excel in the classroom while competing at a high level in collegiate athletics.

Representing the men’s cross-country team, two juniors earned prestigious recognition:

  • Jaylen Diamond, a junior, Computer Information Systems, Apopka, FL.
  • Jovan Bell, a junior, Human Services, Washington, D.C.

Both athletes balanced rigorous training with strong academic performance, embodying the dedication and resilience that define the Beacon Blazers.

On the women’s cross-country team, two juniors were honored as All-Academic recipients:

  • Katherine Soroa, junior, Business Management, Orlando, FL.
  • Jaylen Williams, junior, Business Management, West Chester, Pennsylvania

Williams not only excelled academically but delivered an exceptionally competitive season as well. She earned Women’s 1st Team All-NSAC, claimed 1st place at the NSAC Cross-Country Championship, and capped her season with a strong performance at the 2025 USCAA Cross-Country National Championship, finishing 31st overall.

These four student athletes demonstrated remarkable commitment on and off the courses showing that excellence at Beacon College extends far beyond race day.

Congratulations to Jaylen Diamond, Jovan Bell, Katherine Soroa, and Jaylen Williams — and to the entire Beacon Blazers cross-country program!

Story and image courtesy Beacon Athletics

Beacon Claims Inaugural XC Championship

UMATILLA, Fl. – Beacon College placed four runners in the top five spots of the men’s race to bring home the inaugural New South Athletic Conference Cross Country Championship at the Florida Elks Youth Camp on Saturday.

Beacon’s Josh Popper took honors as the top finisher with a time of 22:43 in the 6K event followed by Justin Quevedo in second. URBE University’s Leland Hernandez finished third. Beacon’s Javon Bell and Jaylen Diamond rounded out the top five.

The Beacon women’s team ran unopposed with Jaylen Williams running a 21:49 in the 4K for first place, followed by Katherine Soroa, Avery Ayes, Ann-Duong Semilitz, and Juliah Pregno.

NSAC CROSS COUNTRY ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS 2025

NAME                                   HONOR                     SCHOOL

Jaylen Williams (W)                     1st Team                               Beacon College

Katherine Soroa (W)                    1st Team                              Beacon College

Avery Ayes (W)                              2nd Team                            Beacon College

Anh Duong-Semlitz (W)             2nd Team                            Beacon College

Juliah Pregno (W)                          Honorable Mention          Beacon College

Joshua Popper (M)                       1st Team                               Beacon College

Justin Quevedo (M)                      1st Team                              Beacon College

Leland Hernandez (M)                2nd Team                            URBE University

Jovan Bell (M)                                2nd Team                            Beacon College

Jaylen Diamond (M)                     Honorable Mention          Beacon College

Fernando Navarro (M)                Honorable Mention          URBE University

Owen Herrigel (M)                        Honorable Mention          Beacon College

First Conference XC Meet Set for Central Florida

UMATILLA, Fl. – The New South Athletic Conference continues to break ground in 2025 with more sport championships than ever before. Next up: The inaugural Cross Country Meet at the Florida Elks Youth Camp in Umatilla, Florida October 24 and 25.

“This is an exciting year for the conference, no doubt about that,” said commissioner Mike Davis. “The first ever cross country championship means more opportunities for our student-athletes than ever before, and I have to thank Beacon College and coach Tony Wrice for planning and organizing what promises to be a fantastic event.”

There will be championship runs for women and men. The course will encompass the sprawling layout at the Elks Campground, which will also lend its housing opportunities to the runners.

Photo by Venti Views on Unsplash