Competing in two locations in the Midwest, the Cougars most significant moment of the day came from the suburbs of Chicago.
In addition to arguably the best meet in school history, a handful of the program's development squad competed in Kansas
LEWIS CROSSOVER
The sixth ranked Colorado Christian men's cross country team made quite the national statement on Saturday morning. The Cougars topped six nationally ranked teams as they won the 24-team event.
Colorado Christian tallied 59 team points as the beat runner-up, and 19th ranked, Lewis by 28 points. Grand Valley State, this week's co-No. 1 team in the USTFCCCA poll, was third as they registered 96 team points.
In addition to beating those two nationally ranked foes, the Cougars also beat No. 22 Biola, No. 24 Cal State San Marcos, No. 26 Walsh and No. 30 Anderson (S.C.).
Colorado Christian's top five scorers all finished in the top 30 with the top three runners placing in the top 10. Ryder Searle was the second overall finisher as the senior clocked a time of 24:32.70 over the 8K course. Junior Trent Cochran was the squad's second scorer as he finished fifth overall in a time of 24:41.80. Josh Pierantoni was just behind as he crossed the finish line in 24:43.60. It is the second straight race that trio went 1-2-3 for the team.
Alex Vance continued his steady performances since joining the program last season. Running near his native Wisconsin, he clipped the finish line in 25:15.30 to place 18th overall as the team's fourth scorer. Isaac Russo continued his steady rise back as the former all-region performer placed 31st overall with a time of 25:35.70.
It is the second team title for the Cougars this season. Earlier this season they won the JK Gold Classic hosted by Wichita State.
FORT HAYS STATE TIGER OPEN
The program raced six individuals in the Black Race as well as one individual competing in the Gold Race.
Matthew Olech ran as an individual during the Gold Race and he registered the best time for the Cougars as he clocked a 25:32.7
Pierce Tapp claimed the team's best time in the Black Race as he ran a 27:39.1. Oliver Wyatt was the Cougars second best finisher as he finished the 8K course in 28:18.3 Tanner James put together a time of 28:20.2 as the program's third scorer. Jason Caven (28:37.9) and David Jaquez (29:13.6) were the fourth and fifth finishers.
UP NEXT: The squad makes a quick trip to Golden for the RMAC Championships in two weeks. Colorado School of Mines is hosting the event at Applewood Golf Course.
