Lauren Martin
The Paw Print
The cold wind and long road trip didn’t seem to faze the Adams State College Men’s cross country team as they took the top spot in the Central Regional Championships held in Wayne, Neb. on November 20.
The championship meet hosted by Wayne State University gave the Grizzly’s a chance to showcase winning in a dominant effort. The Grizzlies placed all seven runners in the top ten.
Leading the Grizzly harrier’s effort was senior Luke Craig. Craig finished first for the team and third overall with time of 31:08 over the 10,000-meter course. Craig has been in top seven runners for the team all season, but this was his first experience of being the number one runner for the Adams State men’s team.
“Luke is a great runner. He has demonstrated hard work and great leadership throughout this season. I am looking forward to nationals to see Luke give his best effort for the team,” Coach Damon Martin said of Craig.
Keegan Calmes, a sophomore, placed second for the Grizzlies, finishing in fifth place overall with a time of 31:15. Senior Ryan McNiff took the third spot for the team, finishing in sixth place overall with a time of 31:20. Next up for the Grizzly men was junior Nathan Sellers. Sellers completed the 10,000-meter course in a time of 31:22, finishing in seventh place overall. Completing the scorers for Adams State was Craig Huffer who finishing 5th for the team, 8th overall with a time of 31:23.
Edwin Cruz, a sophomore and Brandon Birdsong, a junior, completed the Grizzly efforts finishing ninth in a time of 31:25 and tenth in a time of 31:27, respectfully.
The team posted a remarkable pack time of only 19 seconds. The team dominated the event winning with a score of 29 points outdistancing rival Western State, who scored 58 points. Finishing third in the team places was Colorado School of Mines with 79.
“Our men’s team is demonstrating how hard work, training, dedication and commitment to excellence pays off. I am extremely proud of this group of young men and their successes. I also want to compliment the many hard working Adams State College athletes who aren’t in the top seven as this season ends. It takes a strong team to produce such a superior group and there are many national caliber team members who won’t be running at Nationals that deserve credit for helping this team get to this point in the season,” Coach Martin said.
“I am proud of everyone who puts on the green of ASC and does what it takes each day to make us a winning program. I look forward to our efforts next week and believe that we will put our best foot forward at nationals to represent our team, college and community to the best of our ability,” Martin said.
The Grizzlies are headed to Louisville, Ky. to compete in the Division II National Championship.
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