UNM Men and Women Cross Country Teams Win NCAA Mountain Regional Championships

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — It was a great day for the UNM Lobo Men & Women Cross Country teams who raced in the NCAA Mountain Regional Championships with both teams coming away with a title.

Starting off with the women, for the second year in a row they are Mountain Regional Champions. The Lobos finished 1-2-3 with Pamela Kosgei leading the way. Mercy Kirarei and Marion Jepngetich followed afterwards.

UNM had five runners finish in the top 25. Los Alamos alum Christina Nisoli finished 15th and Faith Ngetich finished 24th.

As a team the Lobos scored 45 points and have qualified for the NCAA Championships next weekend in Terra Haute, Indiana.

On the men’s side, the Lobo men showed why they have been ranked number one all season long.

They also claimed their second straight Mountain Regional title. The Lobos had four of the top six runners.

UNM scored 35 points and had five runners in the top 25. Collins Kiprotich (2nd), Pasanjo Kitonga (3rd), Vincent Chirchir (5th), Evans Kiplagat (6th) and Lukas Kiprop (24th) were among the top 25.

Head Coach Darren Gauson spoke on his team’s big performance to qualify for nationals.

“We looked really good two weeks ago at conference. But, for me, my expectation is winning national championships and not just a one off being good one year but being good every single year. So, we were the only Division one program on the podium on both sides last year. And that’s the expectation. While the expectations are high, we want to be in contention to win”.

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