COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Nick Nowlen finished 23^rd, which was 15^th among Division II competitors, to lead MSU Denver on Friday at the UCCS Open cross country race.
 
"Nick Nowlen had a great day," said Amanda Rego, MSU Denver's associate head coach. "The times on this course were slow, but he competed really well, which is exactly what we wanted him to go out and do."
 
Nowlen ran 8 kilometers in 26 minutes, 48.67 seconds.
 
Oticio Herrera was 58^th in 28:04.51, Dylan Angel Lainez was 63^rd in 28:18.74, Ty Schauer was 65^th in 28:27.91, Shota Yabuuchi placed 70^th in 28:39.28 and Cory Shea was 72^nd in 28:40.12.
 
There was no team scoring in the event.
 
"This was great experience for conference and regionals," Rego said. "It was a much tougher course than it appears, but that's exactly what we needed. Really it was a great tuneup for our men for conference."
 
MSU Denver's top two men and top five women sat this event out to prepare for the RMAC Championships on Nov. 5.
 
Heidi Yagen competed for the women and placed 73^rd, running 6K in 27:24.01.
 
"It was a great opportunity for Heidi to get in some more racing experience," Rego said. "Now we close the book on this part of the season and move on to championship season, which is exciting," Rego said.