The balance of power in NCAA Division II cross country didn’t shift much during the course of a year.
Adams State and Grand Valley State defended their team titles at the national championships on the men’s and women’s sides, respectively.
Grizzlies’ junior Tabor Stevens improved on his third-place finish last year to win the men’s 10-kilometer individual title in 29 minutes, 50.1 seconds Saturday at Plants Ferry Athletic Complex in Spokane, Wash.
Western State’s Vegard Olstad came in second in 30:01.7, while Jovanny Godinez, also from Adams State, finished 10th at 30:38.3.
Christian Gering, Fort Lewis College’s lone representative at the championships, came in 80th place at 31:57.6.
Jennifer Agnew of the University of Mary won the 6K women’s race in 20:50.7.
Lauren Martin of Adams State was the top Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference female finisher in sixth place at 21:14.7.
Breanna Hemming of Metro State followed Martin across the line in seventh at 21:16.7.
Gering had to work his way up through the field after running in the “mid-hundred teens” through the first mile, according to FLC head coach Mark Dutro.
“Sometimes a runner can get a little bit discouraged,” Dutro said of Gering’s start. “It takes some good mental toughness to pick your way through it.”
Gering kept his start controlled on purpose and picked up his pace as the race went on.
“I know from experience that it’s not won in the start,” said the Skyhawks’ junior, who ran a personal best 31.09.2 at last year’s national championships. “I knew I was going to catch people.”
Gering improved on his 84th-place finish last season, but he didn’t accomplish two of his prerace goals to run a personal record or become an All-American by finishing in the top 40.
He did, however, accomplish the third goal: Enjoy the experience.
“I definitely got the enjoyment; my family and my coaches were there, and it’s an honor to represent Fort Lewis College,” the San Felipe Pueblo, N.M., native said. “It’s not a disappointment; I’m not really discouraged.”
Besides, he still has a chance to come back and accomplish those goals.
“Each year he’s gotten better,” Dutro said. ”He dedicated himself to putting in the time and doing the work and working towards that goal. Now it’s my chore to increase the intensity.”
Two other RMAC men’s teams finished in the top five, with Western State fourth and Colorado Mines fifth. Two others finished in the top 25: Metro State finished 13th and New Mexico Highlands 24th.
Adams State came in second in the women’s championships, while fellow RMAC schools Western State finished third, Metro State eighth and UC-Colorado Springs 20th.
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