1986 MEN NAIA NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
History was made during the 1986 season for the Western State men. Not only did they win the school's first National Championships since Tracy Borah's 1963 and 1964 Wrestling teams, but when they tied Adams State for the National Championship, they became the first school to tie for a National Championship.
The team featured the "Venezuelan Connection," which included Eduardo Navas, Juan Diaz, Frank Oropeza and Jose Rojas. The rest of the Top Seven included Steve Cathcart, Steve Roch and Doug Meade.
The team spent the 1986 season chasing Adams State - the defending National Champions. But Western almost didn't even make it to the National Championships. The Mountaineers edged Fort Lewis 57-59 to place second in North Central Regionals to clinch a spot in the National Championships
At the National Championships in Kenosha, Wisc., Western made a run at Adams State during the final 800 meters and ended up tying the mighty Grizzlies for the team title.
Navas finished second overall in the race. He was followed by Diaz (third), Cathcart (eighth), Oropeza (31st), Roch (56th), Meade (98th) and Rojas (197th).
1990 WOMEN NAIA NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
The first of the four National Championships that Western State's women's cross country program won came in 1990 when Western was still a part of the NAIA.
After losing to Adams State throughout the majority of the season, Western got its first victory over the Grizzlies in the District 7 and Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championship meet in Las Vegas, N.M. Western's momentum was up and they never looked back as they went on to defeat the Grizzlies once again at the NAIA National Championships in Kenosha, Wisconsin on November 17, 1990.
The team of Jolynn Hutchinson, Cassie Henkiel, Elva Martinez, Michele Chupurdia, Juli Cyrus, Nicole Small and Amy Cope beat runner up Adams State with a score of 58-70.
The Mountaineers had just one runner in the Top Five - Heinkel who finished fifth. But Martinez, a freshman, finished 11th, Hutchinson was 14th, Chupurdia was 15th and Cyrus finished 23rd, giving Western five All-Americans and a team score of 58.
Western State's women's team was on top in 1990 and made history as the first team to win an out-right cross country title for Western State College. They were also the first female team to win the top award. Not only did they make a name for themselves but they started one of the great programs in the NCAA.
1995 MEN NCAA DIVISION II NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Western State's men's cross country program won its first out-right NCAA Division II title on November 18, 1995.
The team of Hamish Smith, Dave Fagan, Hector Hernandez, Mark Burgess, Preston Aronson, Andy Bruckner and Philip Spratley beat runner-up Central Missouri State by 29 points to take home to nation's top prize.
After joining the NCAA in 1992 Western State established themselves among the premier teams in Division II in 1995 and remains one of the most powerful teams still today.
After winning both the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and the South Central Region, Western went into the NCAA National meet ranked number one. Dominating throughout the season, Western dominated once again at the National meet which was held in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Smith, Western's top runner, won the conference title in 1995 but was less than full strength at the National meet.
Smith finished second at the regional meet and 15th at the National meet.
Hernandez, a transfer from Adams State, led the Mountaineers at the national meet with an eighth place finish. Teammates Burgess and Bruckner finished 16th and 18th. With four in the top 20 Western's pack was unbeatable.
1999 MEN NCAA DIVISION II NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
The 1999 men's cross country team captured its second NCAA Division II championship title and its first of what would lead to four national titles in a row.
With a 1-2-3 finish Western State easily outdistanced the defending national champions, Adams State in 1999 at Joplin, Missouri.
After winning both the conference and the regional meets, Western was the sure favorite going into the national championships.
The team, made up of Michael Aish, Josephus LeRoux, Rees Buck, Scott Nagelkerke, Gustav Berggren, Jim Shine, and Rubin McRae was one of the most talented teams ever.
Aish led the way for the Mountaineers, not only won the conference and regional meets but was named Regional Athlete of the year and was the national champion, outdistancing teammate Buck by 27 seconds.
With a 1-2-3 finish no one was even close to the Mountaineers as they beat their arch-rivals, Adams State with a score 27-95. Buck finished second in the race while teammate, LeRoux was a close third.
Also finishing well and earning All-American honors was Shine (9th), McRae (14th), Nagelkerke (17th) and Berggren (22nd). All seven runners were named All-American, a feat that is rarely accomplished.
The 1999 National title was merely the beginning for Western State's cross country program and their domination in Division II cross country.
2000 WOMEN NCAA DIVISION II NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
The 2000 cross country season was one of the most memorable seasons in Western State history.
After eight straight losses to Adams State, Western finally won their first NCAA Division II crown in 2000.
With one of the most talented teams of all time it was destined for Western to win. After winning both the RMAC and North Central Regional Championships, winning nationals completed the women's storybook season. The seven runners for the Mountaineers included Liz Robles, Andrea Hurbina, Najeeby Quinn, Zuzana Sarikova, Hannah Lawrence, Kirsty Weir and Rebekah Mackie.
These seven women earned the title, "Destiny's Darlings" as they finally broke the streak of second places with a national title in Pomona, Calif. on November 18, 2000.
With only 38 points, Western beat North Dakota, the second place team by more than 90 points. Adams State finished fifth with 173 points. So to say that Western finally beat Adams would be an under statement; "Destiny's Darlings" made it into a rout.
Six of Western's runners earned All-American honors while Liz Robles just missed out due to an injury one week before the national meet.
Andrea Hurbina (4th), Kirsty Weir (6th), Rebekah Mackie (8th), Hannah Lawrence (14th), Zuzana Sarikova (18th) and Najeeby Quinn (30th) all earned All-American honors.
The year of 2000 was a year to remember. The Mountaineers completed a mission that had been in progress for eight years and finally came to an end in California. A new mission was formed, keep winning and defend their title as long as possible.
2000 MEN NCAA DIVISION II NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
The 2000 season proved to be just as sweet for Western's men's cross country team as they won yet another national title, making it their third outright overall and second in a row.
The team of Michael Aish, Joseph LeRoux, Rubin McRae, Paul McRae, Scott Nagelkerke, Nelson Laux and Josh Eberly beat runner up Abilene Christian by 33 points.
Abilene Christian had previously defeated Division I National Champion, Arkansas twice during the fall season and the meeting between the Mountaineers and Abilene was anticipated by many throughout the nation, no matter what the level of classification.
With five of Western's top seven finishing in the top ten at the national meet, Abilene was no threat for Western's men.
Western dominated throughout the entire season in 2000 winning both the conference and the regional meets. They also defeated Division I rival Colorado State on their home course earlier in the season.
In 2000, head coach Duane Vandenbusche was named National Coach of the Year and Aish was named National Runner of the Year.
With seven All-Americans and five in the top ten, Western's team proved to be just as if not more dominating than the year before.
Western had become known as one of the top programs in the nation in both Divisions I and II.
2001 WOMEN NCAA DIVISION II NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
After winning in 2000, the Western State women were now on a new mission.
In 2001, it wasn't to get the monkey off their back, but rather it was to continue their reign of being on top as NCAA cross country Division II national champs.
On Saturday, November 17, 2001 in Slippery Rock, Penn., the team of Hannah Lawrence, Najeeby Quinn, Rebekah Mackie, Alisha Williams, Kristin Toney and Lori Hubbart led Western to its second national title in a row.
The biggest surprise of the season came from Lawrence. Lawrence ran to a national title upsetting Adams State favorite Zoila Gomez.
Lawrence joined a class of elite runners and became only the third Western women to win a national title in cross country.
The national meet proved to be the perfect ending to Western's perfect season. After winning both the conference and the regional meet, Western was able to finish the year with a national title.
Adams State was the only team in Western's way as they finished second to Western at the conference and regional meets.
The national meet however was a little too close for Western's liking. After trailing throughout most of the race, Western pulled through in the last 1.000 meters to win the national title beating Adams by only nine points.
Mackie was the key reason for Western's victory. After sitting out most of the season due to a stress fracture she was healed up and ready to go by the national meet and finished ninth. Quinn finished third, just 10 seconds behind Lawrence.
2001 MEN NCAA DIVISION II NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
The Western State men claimed their third straight National Championship in 2001 at Slippery Rock, Penn.
With an amazing six of Western State's Top Seven earning All-American status, Western's teams were getting better and better each year, keeping them on top of Division II competition.
The team of Michael Aish, Chris Siemers, Josh Eberly, Rubin McRae, Scott Nagelkerke, Paul McRae and Jason Donald continued Western's reign at No. 1.
Western once again defeated runner up Abilene Christian beating them this time by 36 points.
Aish claimed his second cross country National title in 2001 while Eberly finished second.
Chris Siemers (fifth), Rubin McRae (12th), Scott Nagelkerke (20th) and Paul McRae (24th) all earned All-American honors.
In 2001, once again the men dominated throughout the season, winning both the RMAC and the North Central Region.
Western State's men were once again feared throughout the nation and were looked at as one of the powerhouses in cross country.
2002 WOMEN NCAA DIVISION II NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
After two straight national titles, the women were the underdogs at the 2002 NCAA Division II National Championships in Ashland, Ohio.
With a season full of second place finishes behind Adams State, Western's team of Rebekah Mackie, Alisha Williams, Hannah Lawrence, Lisa Blomme, Kristin Toney, Lori Hubbart and Maren Shepherd were able to come up big in the most crucial meet of them all - the National Championships.
The women's first test of the season came in their first meet at the Colorado State Invitational. Mackie won the individual title which featured four NCAA Division I schools and Williams was the runner-up. Western finished second as a team.
The Rocky Mountain Shootout proved to be even more satisfying as the women finished just one point behind Division I title contender, Colorado.
After being avoided by Adams State for most of the season, it was now time for the two teams to come face-to-face in the RMAC meet which was held in Gunnison on Western's home course.
With half of the team sick during the week, Western came up short and finished a disappointing second place and 11 points behind Adams State for the RMAC title. The NCAA North Central Regionals proved just as disappointing as Western fell once again to Adams 23-38.
With snow covering the National Championship course and temperatures below freezing the morning of the race, Western felt as if they were in Gunnison and maybe today would finally be their day.
With one of the closest finishes in history, Western pulled off the upset beating Adams State 43-46, coming from behind in the last 800 meters.
Mackie (third place), Williams (fourth), Lawrence (fifth) and Bloome (eighth) showed that Western's pack for the women had never been as dominating.
2002 MEN NCAA DIVISION II NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
The Western State men's fourth straight national title came in 2002 where the men competed in probably one of the coldest national meets ever at Ashland, Ohio.
With below freezing temperatures, snow covering the course and a slight wind, Western's men felt as if they were in Gunnison. The 2002 National Championships was what you could say ideal for the Mountaineers. The weather was no factor for Western since they train in worse conditions throughout the fall in Gunnison. The day was made to order for the Mountaineers.
Philip McPherson, Chris Siemers, Josh Eberly, Rubin McRae, Kelly Christensen, Tim Parr and Will Banks dominated the national meet beating runner up Abilene Christian for the third year in a row.
All seven men finished in the Top 16, giving Western's men its best individual finish ever along with all seven being All-Americans.
The domination of the men's team was apparent all season long, as they were ranked No. 1 the entire season. They once again showed their power in the meets along the way, winning the Joe Vigil Invite, CSU Invite, Rocky Mountain Shootout, RMAC, North Central Region and the biggest one of all, The NCAA Division II National Championships. It also marked the first time a school's men's and women's teams had won three titles in a row.
2004 MEN NCAA DIVISION II NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
A year after having a streak of four straight National Championships come to an end, the Western State men came fighting back with one thing in mind - a return to the top.
Led by junior Kelly Christensen, Western was poised from the very beginning.
Christensen won every race he entered leading up to the National Championships and was named RMAC Runner of the Year and North Central Regional Runner of the Year.
In both the Conference and Regional Championships, Western held off arch-rival Adams State. The Grizzlies made it interesting at the Regionals, as Western held on to win 32-33.
Christensen and junior Oliver Bodor went 1-2 in the Regionals and senior Will Banks finished fourth to give Western the victory.
In the National Championships, Christensen's quest for the perfect season came up short as he led for most of the race before finishing in third place.
Bodor earned All-American honors and was edged at the tape by Abilene Christian's Nicodemus Naimadu.
Other Mountaineers included Banks (Sixth), Tim Parr (12th), Scott Swearingen (16th), Cole Murch (47th) and Cody Waite (72nd, 34:14.8).
Bodor, Christensen, Banks, Parr and Swearingen were all All-Americans for the Mountaineers.
The National Championship is the sixth for Western in Division II and the seventh overall. The Mountaineers have dominated the past 10 years, winning six National Championships (1995, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004).
2005 MEN NCAA DIVISION II NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
For all the National Championships that Duane Vandenbusche has coached over the years, the 2005 National title has to rank among the top.
The Mountaineers, looking to make it back-to-back championships made the road to a seventh NCAA Division II title an interesting one.
The Mountaineers spent every week of the 2005 season trying to catch up with their arch-rivals - the Adams State Grizzlies.
The first matchup between the two teams came at the Rocky Mountain Shootout - where Adams was victorious 22-35.
The results were similar at both the RMAC and North Central Regional Championships. Adams won the Conference Championship 20-45 and the Regional Championship 29-37.
Despite the defeats, the Mountaineers were ready when it came time for the Nationals and were led by senior Kelly Christensen.
Christensen, fresh off his second-straight Regional Championship, would not let the Mountaineers fall.
In his last race as a Mountaineer, Christensen finished a career-best second place and helped the Mountaineers turn the Nationals into a rout.
Western easily defeated arch-rival Adams State 51-108 to take home the National Championship.
Christensen finished the race in 31:10.40 and trailed only two-time National Champion Nicodemus Naimadu (30:13.8) of Abilene Christian. Christensen, a two-time North Central Regional Champion, finished third at the 2004 National Championships.
Senior Oliver Bodor finished ninth in a time of 31:58.1 and freshman Kim Hogarth finished 12th (32:03.6) to help the Mountaineers breeze to the title
Also for the Mountaineers, freshman Iain Donnan finished 20th (32:26.8) and was followed by Cole Murch (22nd, 32:30.2), Adam Rich (33rd, 32:46.0) and John Butkey (49th, 33:22.3).
Christensen, Bodor, Hogarth, Donnan, Murch and Rich all claimed All-American honors.
The National crown was the seventh for the Western State men, adding another one to its already Division II record. Those seven titles came over the course of 11 years.
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2011 Men NCAA DII National Champions 2011 looked to be a banner year on paper as the stars aligned for the Mountaineers. After a career peppered with injuries, Tyler Pennel returned to the squad adding even more top end depth to an already formidable team.
After a big fall of training and an average showing at the Oklahoma State Cowboy Jamboree, the Mountaineers took the conference meet by storm.
Winning the RMAC Championship on a 4 and 5 man swing between the Mountaineers and Grizzlies in the final 300 meters, the Mountaineers were primed heading into the Regional meet.
At the South Central Region meet held in Denver, the Mountaineers rose to occasion as Gabe Proctor took the Regional title with Pennel fast on his heels in second.
In a historic effort at the national meet, the Mountaineer men ran to the fourth-lowest team score (27 points) in NCAA DII history en route to the first national championship of Coach Jen Michel's tenure.
In the cold and snow of Spokane, Washington the Mountaineer men swept the team and individual titles as Ryan Haebe broke the tape ahead of teammate Tyler Pennel, highlighting a 1,2,5,7,12 finish for the men.
Following Haebe and Pennel, 2010 steeplechase champion David Goodman had a break-out performance finishing in 5th place.
Not to be outdone, future national champion Gabe Proctor powered home in 7th before Trevor Blackman closed the scoring in 12th. The Mountaineers finished with an amazing 5 in the top 15.
Adam Sinda also took home an All-American finish giving the Western men six on the day. Freshman Luke Verbus was the seventh runner on the team.
