University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Friday, August 30
Cheyene, Wyo.
9:30 a.m.
University of Northern Colorado
vs
Wyoming Invitational
Bears Knock Off Rust at Wyoming Invitational
8/30/2024 11:23:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Northern Colorado cross country knocked off the rust at the Wyoming Invitational on the 5K circuit at Little American Golf Course Friday.
"We use the Wyoming Invite to gauge where we are coming out of summer training camp," UNC Associate Head Cross Country Coach Stormie Sickler said. "We trained aggressively the past 10 days and went into the race emphasizing to the team that we wanted to focus on running as a pack and working hard despite some fatigued legs. We performed much better as a team on the women's side than in prior years and are not far off our mark on the men's side.
Sophomore Brooke Elfert posted a time of 18:59.9, the first Bear to finish in under 19 minutes on the course since the meet's inaugural race in 2018.
"I am incredibly impressed by Brooke, who led the women's team to the finish line," Sickler said.
Summer Olson recorded a time of 19:18.5, while Chloe Rylance ran a 19:29.3. Julia Thigpin crossed the line in a time of 19:36.1. Shantell Hafner clocked in with a 19:43.4, while Claire Nowells rounded out the scoring for the Bears with a 19:45.8.
"Every single member of the women's team ran faster than they did last year on this course, which boosts our confidence in our overall mission for the year," Sickler said. "I am so pleased about how our women performed today!"
On the men said, senior Isaac Rascon finished with a 16:19.1, pacing UNC.
"Isaac Rascon ran strong and led the men from start to finish," Sickler said. "He has taken on the leadership role and performed a course personal best."
Noah Osmond and Cale Schafer completed the race next with times of 16:32.5 and 16:41.6, respectively.
"We had some returners that impressed me today along with a new face, grad transfer Cale Schafer, who was our third man across the line," Sickler said. "We need to tighten up the pack a little bit but I am confident that will come over the next couple of weeks of training."
The next seven Bears crossed the line in succession with Dylan Wilson, Hunter Kenney and Colton Magnuson rounding out the scoring.
Wilson clocked a 17:15.9, while Magnuson posted a 17:20.2. Magnuson registered a 17:25.0
"All in all, this was a great opening weekend for the Bears," Sickler said. "We know exactly where we are and what we need to work on as we continue to work towards our season goals.
Up Next
The Bears return to action at the Incarnate Word Invitational Friday, Sept. 13 at 7 a.m. MT.
For complete coverage of UNC Athletics, check out the official homepage at uncbears.com. Follow the cross-country team on Instagram, and X.
"We use the Wyoming Invite to gauge where we are coming out of summer training camp," UNC Associate Head Cross Country Coach Stormie Sickler said. "We trained aggressively the past 10 days and went into the race emphasizing to the team that we wanted to focus on running as a pack and working hard despite some fatigued legs. We performed much better as a team on the women's side than in prior years and are not far off our mark on the men's side.
Sophomore Brooke Elfert posted a time of 18:59.9, the first Bear to finish in under 19 minutes on the course since the meet's inaugural race in 2018.
"I am incredibly impressed by Brooke, who led the women's team to the finish line," Sickler said.
Summer Olson recorded a time of 19:18.5, while Chloe Rylance ran a 19:29.3. Julia Thigpin crossed the line in a time of 19:36.1. Shantell Hafner clocked in with a 19:43.4, while Claire Nowells rounded out the scoring for the Bears with a 19:45.8.
"Every single member of the women's team ran faster than they did last year on this course, which boosts our confidence in our overall mission for the year," Sickler said. "I am so pleased about how our women performed today!"
On the men said, senior Isaac Rascon finished with a 16:19.1, pacing UNC.
"Isaac Rascon ran strong and led the men from start to finish," Sickler said. "He has taken on the leadership role and performed a course personal best."
Noah Osmond and Cale Schafer completed the race next with times of 16:32.5 and 16:41.6, respectively.
"We had some returners that impressed me today along with a new face, grad transfer Cale Schafer, who was our third man across the line," Sickler said. "We need to tighten up the pack a little bit but I am confident that will come over the next couple of weeks of training."
The next seven Bears crossed the line in succession with Dylan Wilson, Hunter Kenney and Colton Magnuson rounding out the scoring.
Wilson clocked a 17:15.9, while Magnuson posted a 17:20.2. Magnuson registered a 17:25.0
"All in all, this was a great opening weekend for the Bears," Sickler said. "We know exactly where we are and what we need to work on as we continue to work towards our season goals.
Up Next
The Bears return to action at the Incarnate Word Invitational Friday, Sept. 13 at 7 a.m. MT.
For complete coverage of UNC Athletics, check out the official homepage at uncbears.com. Follow the cross-country team on Instagram, and X.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
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