MSU Denver Athletics

Cross Country 2013 academic all-RMAC honor roll Indoor Track 2013-14 academic all-RMAC honor roll Indoor Track 2013-14 academic all-RMAC honor roll

2015 Cross Country: Competed in seven races ... ran a 6k at UCCS Rust Buster in the time of 20:06 minutes on Sept. 5, finished 6 out of 29 ... ran best 8k at Southern Stampede in the time of 25:38.25 minutes on Sept. 19, finished 39 out of 266 ... ran best 10k at NCAA Championship in the time of 31:40.7 on Nov. 21, finished 127 out of 246.

2015 Outdoor Track: Competed in six races as a distance runner ... competed in the 10k at the RMAC Championships, but did not finish ... ran a season-best 5k in 16:29.05 on March 28 at the Kit Mayer Memorial Open ... ran a season-best 3k in 9:08.22 on April 11 at the CU Invitational ... finished fifth in the 1500m at the CSU-Pueblo Open on March 21 in 4:10.40 ... ran a season-best 800m in 1:59.78 on April 25 at the CSM Pre-Conference Open.

2014-15 Indoor Track: Competed in five races as a distance runner ... placed 29th at the RMAC Championships in the 3k in 9:37.43 ... ran a season-best 3k on Feb. 6 in 8:53.86 at the New Mexico Classic ... ran a season-best mile on Feb. 21 at the Joe Davies Open in 4:31.52.

2014 Cross Country: Did not compete in any races.

2014 Outdoor Track: Competed as a distance runner ... ran a season-best 4:20.35 in the 1500m on April 26 at the Jack Christiansen Invitational ... finished the 3k in 9:28.11 on April 12 at the CU Invitational.

2013-14 Indoor Track: Competed as a distance and middle-distance runner ... ran a season-best 2:11.68 in the 800 meters, placing 23rd at the Air Force All-Comers Meet on Jan. 11 ... ran a season-best 4:42.32 in the mile at the Joe Davies Open on Feb. 22 ... finished the 3k in 9:40.70 , placing 21st at the RMAC championships on March 1.

2013 Cross Country: Competed in three races ... had a season-best finish of 43rd in 28:55 in the Metro State Invitational 8k on Oct. 5.

High School: 2011 graduate of Grandview High School ... earned seven letters between cross country and track ... coached by Allyson Robbins ... two-time all-city and all-region ... state qualifier ... ran a personal-best 16:51 in the 5k.

Personal: Born Joseph Gerard Bender on Oct. 28, 1992 ... son of Jerry and Linda Bender ... younger brother Nicky plays soccer at Fort Lewis and also has another younger brother Alex ... double-majoring in psychology and human studies ... enjoys climbing, camping, fishing and coaching ... plans to either become a college professor or complete a master's degree in counseling psychology to counsel and become a coach after graduation.

Top Cross Country Times:
5,000 meters: 18:13.70, Sept. 7, 2013, at Fort Collins, Colo.
6,000 meters: 20:06, Sept. 5, 2015, at Colorado Springs, Colo.
8,000 meters: 25:38.25, Sept. 19, 2015, at Joplin, Mo.
10,000 meters: 31:40.7, Nov. 21, 2015, at Joplin, Mo. 

Top Indoor Track Times:
800 meters: 2:11.68, Jan. 11, 2014, at USAFA, Colo.
Mile: 4:31.52, Feb. 21, 2015, at Golden, Colo.
3,000 meters: 8:53.86, Feb. 6, at Albuquerque, N.M.

Top Outdoor Track Times:
800 meters: 1:59.78, April 25, 2015, at Golden, Colo.
1,500 meters: 4:10.40, March 21, 2015, at Pueblo, Colo.
3,000 meters: 9:08.22, April 11, 2015, at Boulder, Colo.
5,000 meters: 16:29.05, March 28, 2015, at Golden, Colo.