PORTALES, N.M. — A former Hutchinson Community College cross country runner was killed in a car/pedestrian accident in New Mexico.
According to the Eastern New Mexico News, Sylvestre Kibara was killed when he was hit by a vehicle while crossing U.S. 70 in the town of Portales near the Eastern New Mexico University campus Friday. No other details were available.
Kibara helped lead the Blue Dragon cross country team to the 2018 Region VI cross country title, then finished 21st in the NJCAA National Meet. In 2019, he finished in 7th place in the NJCAA National Meet. In 2020, he doubled in the 3,000 meters and the 5,000 meters at the 2020 NJCAA Indoor Track & Field Championship. He won the 3,000 meters at the 2020 NJCAA Region VI Indoor Championship and finished third in the 5,000 meters. His best time of 24:30 is the fifth-fastest cross country time in Blue Dragon History. Kibara was a three time NJCAA All American for the Blue Dragon track team.
Kibara transferred to ENMU after one semester at the University of North Dakota. He competed in five meets for the Greyhounds and qualified for the Division II South Central Regional Cross Country Championship.
Sylvestre Kibara was 28 years old.
CLICK HERE to download the Hutch Post mobile app.
CLICK HERE to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.