Adams State women win NCAA regional cross country title

THE Adams State women’s cross country team on Saturday added the NCAA Division II South Central Regional title to its list of 2022 accomplishments. The Grizzlies fought off Colorado School of Mines to win the 25-team regional race with a low score of 67 points. Brianna Robles (6th overall), Precious Robinson (8th) and Stephanie Cotter (9th) finished among the top 10 runners to lead the Grizzlies.

Colorado Mines was second with 72 points and had a top-five finisher in Molly Maskin. The Orediggers, led by Dillon Powell who ran away with the 10k men’s individual title in 29:43.10, won the men’s team title.

The women’s team championship automatically qualified Adams State for the NCAA Cross Country Championships to be held Dec. 2 in Seattle. That’s where the Grizzlies will be seeking the school’s 20th NCAA Division II women’s team cross country championship.

The Adams State men’s team finished 7th in NCAA Division II South Central Regional competition, well below expectations. It went into the race No. 2 in the NCAA DII rankings and will have to rely on an at-large berth to get into the NCAA DII Championships, a rare situation in Adams State cross country history.

The Grizzlies’ top men’s runner was Cameron Allan, who finished 25th.

Women’s 6,000 meters

Winner: Florence Uwajeneza, West Texas A&M, 21:08.60

Adams State finishers

Brianna Robles, 6th, 21:38.30
Precious Robinson, 8th, 21:47.90
Stephanie Cotter, 9th, 21:49.60
Emily Schoellkopf, 20th, 22:13.40
Nicole Lawrence, 24th, 22:19.70
Morgan Hykes, 27th, 22:22.80
Maggie McCleskey, 28th, 22:24.10

Men’s 10,000 meters

Winner: Dillon Powell, Colorado School of Mines, 29:43.10

Adams State finishers

Cameron Allan, 25th, 31:58.20
Awet Beraki, 33rd, 32:14.20
Yonas Haile, 42nd, 32:34.60
Davonte Jett-Reynolds, 53rd, 32:50.20
James Dunn, 60th, 33:05.40
Aron Orar, 89th, 34:14.20
MIguel Coca, 111th, 34:59.40