The Western State College men and women’s cross country team kicked off the 2006 season Saturday in a time trial held at Tomichi heights, just east of Gunnison at 7700 feet. The time trial was held under cloudy conditions and 55-degree temperature. The women ran 7040 meters, or four laps, of a hilly course. The Western State women, third in the NCAA championships in 2005 had four from that top seven in the time trial, which was won by former WSC four-time X-C All-American, Alisha Williams with a time of 27:45. Esther Komen, WSC sophomore, who was second in last year’s NCAA championships, finished first for the Mountaineer team in 28:10. She was followed by junior Shannon Filar, junior Natalie Provost, sophomore Elsa Goshu, sophomore Jenny Hockman, freshman Annika Haughwout and senior Jann Johnson—all in the top ten. Two top Mountaineer women were held out of the time trial—senior Rachel Harper and freshman Anne Ronoh. The time trial was a points meet–one of four that will determine the top Mountaineers for the NCAA championships.

The Western State men, defending national champions, had 29 runners, including former Mountaineer All-Americans Scott Nagelkerke, Tim Parr, Nick Hirsch and Oliver Bodor. The men ran over a six-lap, or 10,660 meter course. The four All-Americans and five current Mountaineer runners ran in a group and all finished with the same time of 36:25. Running with the alumni runners were seniors Andrew Hoffman and Cole Murch, junior John Butkey and sophomores Kim Hogarth and Aaron Clark. Closely following those five was junior Scott Dahlberg, freshman Tyler Rasmussen, junior Jesse Chettle and freshmen Tyler Pennel and Aaron Flower. The Mountaineers held out two top runners—freshmen Kris Berry and Alex Kosgei.

Both Western State men and women’s teams will open up their collegiate season for 2006 at the Adams State Invitational in Alamosa this coming Saturday. The 6000-meter race for the women will pit Adams States’ 2005 NCAA champion women against WSC’s third place team. In the men’s competition, it will be WSC NCAA championship team vs. Adams second place team.