COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs women's cross country team, ranked No. 7 nationally, opened its 2026 season at the 19th annual UCCS Rust Buster in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Mountain Lions claimed the team title, securing their first championship of the 2026 season. Fifth-year All-American
Kseniya Nikanorov delivered an outstanding performance, finishing second overall in a field of 86 competitors.
INSIDE THE UCCS RUST BUSTER
- Course | Location: Monument Valley Park | Colorado Springs, Colo.
- Course Length: 5k
- Elevation: 6,109 feet above sea level
AROUND THE COURSE
- The Mountain Lions were led by fifth-year All-American runner Kseniya Nikanorov, who put on an All-American performance to place second overall with a time of 17:47.3.
- Senior teammate Emma Montoya followed closely behind, crossing the finish line in 17:56.4 to secure third place overall.
- Lida Padgett and Allie Grahn rounded out the Mountain Lions' scoring lineup, finishing seventh in 18:20.5 and eighth in 18:22.1, respectively.
RACE LEADERS
- The University of Colorado Colorado Springs women's cross country team captured the team title in the six-team field, finishing first with 29 points.
- The Mountain Lions finished 27 points ahead of runner-up Colorado College, which recorded 56 points, while Regis University placed third with 90 points.
- Regis University's Ainara Sainz De Rozas claimed the individual title with a winning time of 17:07.7.
BEYOND THE FINISH LINE
- The Mountain Lions: Secured 1st team title of the 2026 season.
UP NEXT
- UCCS will head to Denver, Colo. on September 19 for the MSU Denver Roadrunners 6k Invitational.
SOCIAL
X – @GoMountainLions
Instagram – @gomountainlions
Facebook – / GoMountainLions
For everything UCCS Athletics, follow the Mountain Lions on social media and stay tuned to gomountainlions.com.
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.
