THIS WEEK'S MEET
- COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs cross country teams head to Rapid City, S.D., this Saturday, Nov. 7, for the 2026 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Cross Country Championships. South Dakota Mines will serve as the host institution, with the championship races taking place at Hart Ranch Camping Resort.
- The men's 8K championship race is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. (MT), followed by the women's 6K race at 10:15 a.m. (MT).
MEET INFORMATION
- Course: Hart Ranch Camping Resort
- Location: Rapid City, S.D.
- Distances: 8K (men) | 6K (women)
- Elevation: 3,200 feet
COURSE DESCRIPTION
- The course begins on a long, wide grass area before runners transition onto the main 2K loop. The loop is mostly flat, featuring a few small hills and turns throughout. The course surface includes two sections of dirt path, along with open grass areas. Both the start and finish are positioned just off the main 2K loop, with the finish line situated on a long, wide grass area. The men's race will consist of four 2K loops before heading into the finish, while the women's race will feature three 2K loops before heading into the finish.
COURSE RECORDS
- Men's 8K: 25:26.50 – Alberto Spotted (2025)
- Women's 6K: 23:39.00 – Zena Tapia (2025)
MOUNTAIN LION MEN COMPETING AT THE RMAC CHAMPIONSHIPS
MOUNTAIN LION WOMEN COMPETING AT THE RMAC CHAMPIONSHIPS
THE FIELD
- All 15 RMAC institutions will be represented at Saturday's championship meet, including six men's teams and seven women's teams ranked in the latest U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division II Top 25 poll, released Oct. 28.
- The nationally ranked teams entering the championship include:
- Adams State University: No. 3 (men) | No. 1 (women)
- Colorado Christian University: No. 10 (men) | No. 11 (women)
- Colorado Mesa University: No. 22 (women)
- Colorado School of Mines: No. 2 (men) | No. 3 (women)
- Fort Lewis College: No. 13 (men) | No. 12 (women)
- UCCS: No. 14 (men) | No. 7 (women)
- Western Colorado University: No. 9 (men) | No. 5 (women)
RMAC CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
- The UCCS men's team has finished as high as third place at the RMAC Championships, accomplishing the feat in 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2021. Last season, the Mountain Lions scored 122 points to finish fourth on their home course.
- Six Mountain Lions return from last year's conference championship lineup, led by 2025 All-RMAC Second Team selection Brett Davis, who placed 22nd overall. Also returning from last year's championship squad are Michael Burke Jr., Koy Cunningham, Enzo Knapp, Jonas Graff and Caden Leal.
- On the women's side, UCCS has finished as high as second place at the RMAC Championships on two occasions, including last season when the Mountain Lions recorded 68 points. The program also captured a runner-up finish in 2000 and has earned third place 15 times.
- The Mountain Lions return several accomplished performers from last year's championship squad. Leading the group is 2025 RMAC Freshman of the Meet and All-RMAC First Team selection Elizabeth McQuitty, joined by fellow 2025 All-RMAC First Team honoree Kseniya Nikanorov. Madison Brosig, a 2025 All-RMAC Second Team selection, also returns, along with Kate Henderson and Emma Montoya.
RMAC AWARDS
- The top 14 finishers in each race will earn 2026 All-RMAC First Team honors, while runners placing 15th through 28th will be named to the All-RMAC Second Team.
- The first runner to cross the finish line in each race will be recognized as the RMAC Runner of the Meet, while the first freshman finisher will earn RMAC Freshman of the Meet honors.
- The 2026 RMAC Runner of the Year, Freshman of the Year and Coach of the Year awards will be determined by a vote following the NCAA Division II National Championship meet.
WEATHER FORECAST
- Saturday's championship races are expected to take place under sunny skies, with temperatures reaching approximately 60 degrees during competition and a daytime high of 65 degrees.
NATIONAL RANKINGS
- The USTFCCCA releases NCAA Division II regional rankings each Tuesday and national rankings each Wednesday throughout the season. Both UCCS programs have maintained a position inside the national top 15 in every national poll this season.
- The women's team has consistently held a top-seven national ranking, while the men's team has climbed as high as No. 13. Both programs enter the RMAC Championships ranked No. 14 (men) and No. 7 (women) nationally.
2026 USTFCCCA NCAA Division II National Rankings
| Week |
Men |
Women |
| Sept. 2 (Preseason) |
No. 17 |
No. 7 |
| Sept. 16 (Week 1) |
No. 16 |
No. 7 |
| Sept. 30 (Week 2) |
No. 13 |
No. 7 |
| Oct. 8 (Week 3) |
No. 13 |
No. 7 |
| Oct. 14 (Week 4) |
No. 14 |
No. 7 (tie) |
| Oct. 21 (Week 5) |
No. 14 |
No. 7 |
| Oct. 28 (Week 6) |
No. 14 |
No. 7 |
UCCS UNDER HEAD COACHES MARK MISCH & COREY KUBATZKY
- Head coach Mark Misch enters his 20th season leading the UCCS cross country program in 2026-27. Under Misch's leadership, the Mountain Lions have qualified as a team for the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships 12 times, including each of the past eight national championship meets.
- Corey Kubatzky enters his 12th year with the UCCS cross country and track & field programs in 2026-27. He serves as the head coach of the women's cross country team while also overseeing the women's distance and middle-distance runners during the indoor and outdoor track & field seasons. Since joining UCCS in 2015, Kubatzky's women's teams have qualified for each of the past nine NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships.
UP NEXT
- Following the RMAC Championships, the Mountain Lions will turn their attention to the 2026 NCAA Division II South Central Regional Championships on Saturday, Nov. 21, in Lubbock, Texas. Lubbock Christian University will host the regional meet at the LCU Chaparral Ridge Cross Country Course.
- The men's 10K race is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. (MT), followed by the women's 6K race at 8:15 a.m. (MT).
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As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs competes in 14 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.
