LAS VEGAS, N.M. – The Metropolitan State University of Denver women's cross country team placed eighth with 204 points and the men's cross country team placed seventh with a team score of 235 points at the RMAC Championships.
 
The women's team had two members earn RMAC Second Team All-Conference with their performances.  Senior Mia Salas placed 13th overall in the 6,000-meter race in a time of 20:40.9.  Freshman Marin Smith was 22nd in the race after posting a time of 21:15 .7.
 
Freshman Peyton Meier and sophomores Lexi McAfee and Marissa Bruno rounded out the team scoring for the Roadrunners on the women's side.  Meier placed 48th overall (22:10.8), McAfee was 65th (22:45.7) and Bruno was 67th (22:49.3).
 
"We had a pretty good day on both sides," said Head Coach Janis Christopher.  "Having two women in the top 25 was a great finish to the meet.  We are especially pleased with how well the freshmen competed to contribute to both of our teams today."
 
The men's squad saw sophomores Jordan Duran and Janathan Duran lead the Roadrunners across the finish line.  Jordan Duran placed 34th (25:20.4) and Jonathan Duran placed 42nd (25:41.6) overall in the 8,000-meter race.
 
Freshman Darren Hayden was third across the finish line for the Roadrunners in 48th (25:52.1) and senior JJ Ramey placed 65th (26:12.6).  Junior Shota Yabuuchi rounded out the scoring for the Roadrunners with a time of 26:17.9 to place 69th.
 
Christopher added, "Based on what we saw today, we feel like we are in a good place heading into the NCAA Regionals in a couple of weeks.  We are excited to see what the squads can do on our home course."
 
The Roadrunners will host the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Cross Country Meet on Saturday, November 9 at Washington Park in Denver.  The men's race is slated to begin at 10 a.m. and the women's race will start at 11:15 a.m.