Colorado Springs, Colorado - New Mexico Highlands competed in the UCCS Rust Buster Saturday morning at Monument Park to kick-off the 2024 season. NMHU's rosters featured a mix of returning veterans and racers new to collegiate events.
"This was definitely a learning experience for our freshman," said Head Coach
Bob DeVries. "The tempo of college racing is very different than high school. They have to trust themselves at the start and get in the race."
On the women's side
Summer Abeyta, from Aurora, Colorado, enjoyed a homecoming of sorts as she set an NMHU freshman record for the Rust Buster course finishing the 5k event in 19:03.80. Senior
Cemore Donald set a personal best in the 5k finishing in 21:12.30. Donald, the 2024 RMAC Indoor Champion in the 400 meters, is transitioning to Cross Country this fall.
"The women did a great job of passing people over the last 500 meters and we snuck by Regis and Western New Mexico for fourth." commented DeVries. "
Emma Hurren sealed it with a pass in the finishing chute."
For the NMHU men freshman
James Kurui ran the 8k course in 25:37.30 to finish fourth on Saturday morning.
"James did a superior job of going out with the lead pack and racing with intention," DeVries said of Kurui's effort on Saturday.
The teams have two weeks to prepare for the MSU-Denver's Roadrunner Invitational on September 21st at Washington Park.
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