COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs cross country programs hosted the first Division II cross country race of the season Friday night in the 13^th annual UCCS Rust Buster Invitational.  The Mountain Lions held a dual against Fort Lewis College at Monument Valley Park in Colorado Springs, Colo.
 
 
INSIDE THE 13^TH ANNUAL UCCS RUST BUSTER MEET
Location: Monument Valley Park | Colorado Springs, Colo.
Race Length: Women 5K | Men 8K
 
 
WOMEN'S 5K RACE HIGHLIGHTS 
The Mountain Lions swept Fort Lewis College as the women's team recorded a near perfect score, besting FLC 17-46.  Hannah Ellis won the women's individual title, improving on her personal record by more than one minute.  Ellis led all 26 competitors with a time of 18:06.10.  Freshman Kate Hedlund came in second overall with a time of 18:36.50 followed by Molly Weir's third place finish in 18:43.70.
 
The Skyhawks Makiah Salzano broke up the Mountain Lions scoring with a fourth-place finish in 18:48.60 to lead FLC.
 
 
MEN'S 8K RACE HIGHLIGHTS 
The Mountain Lions men's team notched a perfect score as the first five scorers of the race donned UCCS jerseys.  Afewerki Zeru paced all 33 runners with a time of 25:23.70.  He was followed by Matthew Schramm (26:17.70), Evan Graff (26:19.40), Branden Bohling (26:21.30) and Luke Rodriguez (26:23.80).
 
Willie Moore, an assistant coach for the Mountain Lions, placed second overall earning a time of 25:36.80.
 
 
BEYOND THE FINISH LINE 
Two pairs of siblings competed together tonight in a collegiate race for the first time.  On the women's team, redshirt junior Layla Almasri was joined by her younger sister freshman Nadine Almasri.  Layla crossed the finish line fifth overall with a time of 18:51.60 while her younger sister posted a time of 20:51.7 (20^th overall).
 
On the men's side, redshirt sophomore Evan Graff competed with his freshman brother Sean Graff.  Evan was the third Mountain Lion to score points for UCCS with a time of 26:19.40, while his brother Sean finished in a time of 28:00.90 (22^nd overall).
 
Ted Schultz, an alumnus of UCCS, has competed in all 13 UCCS Rust Buster races.  Schultz was a freshman on the UCCS Mountain Lions men's cross country program when the inaugural Rust Buster race was held.
 
 
UP NEXT 
The Mountain Lions will be back in action on Friday, Sept. 18 when they host the UCCS XC Open at Cherokee Ridge Golf Course.  Three other teams will be competing against UCCS: Chadron State College, Colorado Christian University and MSU Denver.
 
 
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As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs competes in 16 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.