RAPID CITY, S.D The Western Colorado cross country teams competed at the 2026 RMAC Championships, with the women's squad capturing the conference title and the men's team securing a third-place finish.
JUST THE FACTS
Event: 2026 RMAC Championships
Final Score: Men 8k: 1. Adams State (33) 2. Colorado School of Mines (48) 3. Western Colorado (79)
Final Score: Women 6k: 1. Western Colorado (40) 2. Adams State (55) 3. UCCS (64)
Location: Rapid City, S.D. / Hart Ranch
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Western Colorado cross country teams delivered an outstanding performance at the 2026 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Championships, highlighted by the women's team capturing the RMAC title and the men's squad earning a third-place finish. The Mountaineers combined for several personal-best performances, multiple All-RMAC selections and a championship performance led by the women's top three finishers.
The men's race kicked off the 2026 RMAC Championships, with Tyler Nord leading the way for the Mountaineers. Nord remained among the lead pack throughout the race, battling alongside the top runners in the conference before crossing the finish line in 10th place with a personal-best time of 23:48.6. His performance earned him First-Team All-RMAC honors.
Oliver Diaz was the next Mountaineer across the finish line, placing 14th overall with a personal-best time of 23:54.8 to secure First-Team All-RMAC recognition.
Western continued to stack up All-Conference performances, as Kellen Reed finished 15th in 24:00.5, earning Second-Team All-RMAC honors with a personal-best time. Branden Davis followed in 17th place, crossing in 24:08.3 to also earn Second-Team All-RMAC honors while recording a personal best.
Kaden Hamilton rounded out the Mountaineers' All-RMAC selections, finishing 24th with a personal-best time of 24:23.4 to claim Second-Team All-RMAC honors. Wyatt Hoover crossed in 31st place with a personal-best time of 24:42.9, while Nathan Lumaye finished 36th in 24:57.6.
The Mountaineer men put together a strong team performance, claiming third place overall with 79 points to secure a bronze finish at the conference championships.
The women's race saw Western take center stage, as the Mountaineers put together a championship performance behind three runners finishing in the top four.
Peyton Weiss led the charge for Western, staying near the front of the pack before crossing the finish line in second place overall. Weiss recorded a season-best time of 20:51.5, earning First-Team All-RMAC honors.
Brighton Mooney followed closely behind, securing third place overall with a season-best time of 20:59.1 to earn First-Team All-RMAC recognition. Lauren Willson completed the Mountaineers' impressive top-three showing, finishing fourth in 21:06.8. Her season-best performance also earned her First-Team All-RMAC honors.
Natalie Kessler led the next group of Mountaineers across the finish line, placing 15th in 21:42.8 to earn Second-Team All-RMAC honors. Annaka Rudolph followed just behind in 16th place, finishing in 21:43.1 to also claim Second-Team All-RMAC recognition.
Lainey Mathiske crossed the finish line in 25th place with a time of 21:59.7, while Kate Horneck rounded out the Mountaineers' lineup with a time of 22:32.5.
With three runners finishing inside the top four and five earning All-RMAC honors, the Western Colorado women put together a dominant team performance to capture the 2026 RMAC Women's Cross Country Championship.
The Mountaineers now turn their attention to the next stage of the postseason as they look to carry their championship momentum forward.
UP NEXT
The Mountaineers will now turn their attention to the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Championships in Lubbock, Texas, set for Saturday, November 21.
