COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference has announced a venue change for the 2020 RMAC Cross Country Championships and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs will serve as the new host.  Colorado School of Mines was slated to host the conference championship on Oct. 24, 2020, but due to COVID-19 restrictions the Orediggers will not be able to host this year's championship races.
 
As a result, a proposal by the RMAC Championships Committee was approved to have UCCS host the championships on Oct. 24 at Monument Valley Park.  The men's 8K championship race will begin at 9:30 a.m. followed by the women's 6K championship race at 10:15 a.m.  The championships will close at 11:15 a.m. with the awards ceremony.
 
"When the opportunities to host the RMAC Cross Country Championships became available this fall, although it was under unique circumstances, we felt that we could create a wonderful experience for student-athletes by hosting this event," commented UCCS Executive Director of Athletics Nathan Gibson.  "Colorado Springs and UCCS have some of the most desirable and beautiful running trails in the country and Monument Valley Park is an outstanding cross country course for what will undoubtably be an extremely competitive championship for both the men and women.  Finally, as with everything this year, we will have health and safety as the number one priority, and I am proud of our plans for this event and am confident we can host this championship and meet all of the necessary guidelines."
 
The Mountain Lions kicked off the 2020 season this past Friday with a dual meet against Fort Lewis College at Monument Valley Park in the 13^th Annual UCCS Rust Buster Invite.  The races marked the first cross country competition in Division II this season.
 
"We are extremely excited to be able to host the RMAC Championships this year," said UCCS head women's cross country coach Corey Kubatzky. "With no National Championships this fall, conference becomes the focus and a great opportunity for some of the best teams in the country to race in a championship meet. Mark (Misch) and I, along with the rest of the staff here at UCCS, are looking forward to giving the student-athletes a great experience to cap off the fall season."
 
"Year after year the caliber of the RMAC Cross Country Championships are as close as you can get to an NCAA Division II Cross Country Championship, so for a conference championship meet in 2020 this is it," said head cross country coach Mark Misch.  "The championships obviously hold significance every year, but especially this year in light of the uncertainty that the student-athletes have experienced the past six months. We are just thrilled to have a championship at all and there is no doubt in my mind that it will be a great meet like always."
 
UCCS will be back in action on Friday, Sept. 18 when they host Chadron State College, Colorado Christian University and MSU Denver in the UCCS XC Open at Cherokee Ridge Golf Course.