GUNNISON, Colo. – Western State Colorado University Cross Country got the season rolling at their annual Team Time Trial Saturday morning on the Tomichi Heights loop. At just over 1.1 miles per lap, the Team Time Trial has offered a consistent preview of the upcoming season for several decades of Western teams.
 
Given near ideal weather conditions, both Mountaineer squads had an excellent opportunity to test their fitness after the fall training block. With parents, alumni, fans, and track & field teammates out for support and flapjacks on the griddle, the men's team would set the tone for the morning.
 
As is tradition in the Team Time Trial, the men ran anywhere from four to six laps dependent upon age and experience. The Mountaineers use the event to practice racing dynamics and team strength while serving as a rite of passage for new athletes, and the Mountaineer men did just that.
 
After four laps of the undulating loop, three freshman Colin Berndt, Albert Hesse, and Kieran Nay stopped the clock at 24:17.
 
Two laps later, the Mountaineer men would bring six men to the line in a blanket finish with the clock at 36:14. Recognizing the nature of the event, Ahmed Jama, Ross Husch, Taylor Stack, Evan Sutherland, Kyle Lewis, and Charlie Sweeney ran wide across the line knowing the real work lay in the meets ahead.
 
As a measure of finishing time and pack presence, it was one of the best men's time trials in recent years.
 
Following the men, the Western women toed the line for a test of anywhere from two to four laps.
 
Like the men, the women used the Team Time Trial as a measure of their current status, albeit without several key pieces of the puzzle. Running in a cohesive group for two laps, the top Mountaineer women began to separate at the halfway point.
 
For the women running three laps, transfer Sarah Laverty was the first to the line in 20:52. In one of the more surprising efforts of the day, Malindi (Lindi) Congour stopped the clock at 21:05 for three laps, which could be a great sign for the season ahead.
 
Katie Doucette would be the first freshman to the line in 21:13. Not far behind, Hannah Mae Gigstad finished in 21:45.
 
Back on the loop, Sophie Seward ratcheted down the pace running a massive negative split over her final lap to stop the clock in 27:13. Western's second finisher at four laps was Cassidy Ahrens at 27:53 running very consistently throughout the effort. Chloe Andrie would wrap up four laps in 29:15.
 
Following the Team Time Trial, the Mountaineers will begin their intercollegiate season next week at the Adam State University Joe I. Vigil Classic.