Results
 
DENVER, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines Men's Cross Country team won gold and the Oredigger women claimed silver on Saturday afternoon at the 2024 NCAA Division II South Central Region Championships hosted by MSU Denver at Washington Park.
 
Mines' men won their sixth straight region title by totaling 40 points thanks to three runners in the top-10. It marked the Orediggers seventh South Central Crown in the last nine region races as six of Mines' seven runners raced to USTFCCCA All-Region distinction. The Oredigger women claimed silver behind Jenna Ramsey-Rutledge's third-place finish. Mines' women earned a fifth consecutive runner-up finish with four of five scoring runners earning USTFCCCA All-Region accolades. The Oredigger men and women both punch automatic tickets to the 2024 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships after team finishes inside the top three in the region.
 
Friday's snowfall across the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains pushed the regional races back to afternoon start times. The first race of the day on a snow-covered course was the men's 10K. Mines came out fast and when the powder, mud, and sludge settled, Jeremiah Vaille, Paul Knight, and Logan Bocovich had crossed the finish line fourth, fifth, and sixth. It marked the greatest race and finish of Vaille's collegiate career. While that trio laid the men's foundation for a title, Ethan Grolnic and Dawson Gunn clinched Oredigger gold by charging to 12th and 13th-place honors. Braden Struhs crossed 20th and Max Bonenberger was in the top-50. All-region distinction went to every individual runner who finished 25th or better.
 
While the men may have packed the snow on the starting chute, they also provided plenty of mud pits for the women's 6K race. Even so, the Oredigger women had no trouble navigating the snow and sludge. From the sound of the gun, Ramsey-Rutledge put herself in the lead pack and did not surrender her position. As runners came around the final turn and came down the homestretch, Ramsey-Rutledge was the third runner to cross the finish line. She was more than half a minute ahead of teammate Lexi Herr who also had the race of her career with an eighth-place finish. Grace Strongman and Emily LaMena scored for Mines as USTFCCCA All-Region runners. Imani Fernandez-Gorbea rounded out the scoring and clinched Oredigger silver by taking 26th. Margaux Basart and Josie Mejia were Mines' final two runners and both finished inside the top-40.
 
Mines' men and women both have automatic tickets punched to the 2024 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, but the official field will be announced by the national office on Monday afternoon. The Oredigger men and women will race for national glory on Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Arcade Creek XC Course in Sacramento, Calif. A full preview and live coverage information will be posted at www.minesathletics.com.
 
Fans can keep up with Mines cross country on "X" (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @csmtrack. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, "X" and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.