COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Three-time All-American Tyler Pennel is the RMAC Preseason Runner of the Year as both Western State cross country teams were picked second in the conference preseason coaches’ poll released this afternoon.
All-American Hillory Davis, Sarah Lyle and Lauren Kleppin earned a spot on the women’s preseason All-RMAC team while All-American Loren Ahonen earned a spot on the men’s team.
Pennel is the top returning finisher for the Mountaineers from the 2009 national championships, where he finished No. 13 overall. He placed fourth in the conference championships and regional championships last season. He is in line to become the fifth runner in program history with four All-America titles.
Ahonen placed No. 23 at the national championships last season and No. 12 at the RMAC Championships. He was a CoSIDA Academic All-American last season and has earned cross country All-America honors in each of the last two seasons.
Davis led the Mountaineers at the national championships last season and finished No. 23 overall. She placed fifth at the conference championships and was one of two seniors on the preseason team.
Lyle was a member of the scoring runners at the national meet last fall and was second for the Mountaineers at the RMAC championships. Kleppin will be competing in cross country for the Mountaineers for the first time after competing for Colorado State.
Men's Preseason Poll (Aug. 26)
| School (1st Votes) |
Points |
| 1. Adams State (10) |
10 |
| 2. Western State (1) |
23 |
| 3. Colorado Mines |
24 |
| 4. Metro State |
39 |
| 5. New Mexico Highlands |
50 |
| 6. Nebraska-Kearney |
56 |
| 7. Fort Lewis |
60 |
| 8. Colorado-Colorado Springs |
70 |
| 9. Western New Mexico |
83 |
| 10. Regis |
88 |
| 11. Colorado Christian |
96 |
Women's Preseason Poll (Aug. 26)
| Rank (1st Votes) |
Points |
| 1. Adams State (12) |
12 |
| 2. Western State (1) |
24 |
| 3. Mesa State |
34 |
| 4. Metro State |
47 |
| 5. Colorado Mines |
56 |
| 6. Fort Lewis |
69 |
| 7. Nebraska-Kearney |
83 |
| 8. Colorado-Colorado Springs |
86 |
| 9. New Mexico Highlands |
97 |
| 10. Regis |
107 |
| 11. Western New Mexico |
126 |
| 12. Colorado State-Pueblo |
127 |
| 13. Colorado Christian |
142 |