STURGIS, S.D.- Cross Country started their season on Friday at the Gage McSpadden Memorial in South Dakota. The women's team was dominant, claiming the top four individual spots and the team victory. The men were just as strong, as a first place finish from Matthew Storer propelled the team to the win as the teams posted a clean sweep in Sturgis. 

The women got the night started in the 4k, and Shannon King ran her way to victory with a time of 14:47.36 to start her season in impressive fashion. Kathryn Miller followed in second with a run of 14:56.64, and Britta Holmberg claimed third with a time of 15:03.88. Lucy Pidek took fourth with a 15:04.88 to close out the dominant 1-4 finish for the Cougars. Ava Maginity closed out the CCU runners in the top 10 with a seventh place finish with a run of 15:18.35. Rachel Harpt ran a 15:32.65, and Lorelei Daugherty posted a 15:50.59. It was an extremely successful day for the team as they started the year off right with a victory. 

The men came next in the 6k, and Matthew Storer continued his storied career by pulling away to win the race by a large margin with a time of 18:29.19. Mateo Luna claimed third place with a 19:02.22 while Sean McCauley took fourth with a 19:05.38. Klay Grant took sixth with a 19:09.87 followed by Zach Vance in seventh with a run of 19:12.41. Ethan Wampler ran a 19:13.35 to take eighth, while Sam Schwarting ran a 19:13.65 to take ninth. With seven runners in the top 10, the Cougars ran away with the victory as they look to make another appearance at Nationals. 

Fresh off of overwhelming victories, the Cougars will run again at Washington Park in Denver at the Roadrunners Invitational on September 21.