COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Mountain West cross country runners are gearing up for the postseason, starting with the 2024 Credit Union 1 MW Cross Country Championships hosted by Air Force on Friday, Nov. 1, at Eisenhower Golf Course in Colorado Springs.

The New Mexico men and women were tabbed league favorites in both the conference preseason poll and this week’s pre-championship poll. Each squad enters the event nationally ranked in the top 10 of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) with the Lobo men at No. 6 and the women at No. 8.

On the men’s side, New Mexico is looking to repeat after winning the 2023 team title a year ago, which was its first since 2014 and its 16th overall. Sophomore Habtom Samuel is also looking for a back-to-back MW Championship individual title after finishing first in 2023, becoming the first Lobo to win since 2012.

Heading into the MW men’s championship, New Mexico is joined in the national rankings by No. 19 Utah State and No. 20 Wyoming. The Aggies jumped 11 spots in the final regular season poll, while the Cowboys are ranked for the first time this year.

The New Mexico women are eyeing a return to the top after their streak of 15 straight MW championship titles was ended by Colorado State in 2023. The Lobos began the season ranked 20th nationally before rising to No. 8 in last week’s poll behind a strong performance at Wisconsin’s Pre-Championship event.

The women’s individual competition is wide open with no past winners returning, but New Mexico’s Pamela Kosgei, a two-time MW Athlete & Freshman of the Week honoree this fall, has a chance to become the first freshman to win the women’s title since 2015.

The women’s championship 6k race will begin at 10 a.m. MT on the Mountain West Network, while the men’s 8k race starts at 10:45 a.m. MT on the Mountain West Network.

RACE CENTRAL

HOW TO WATCH

  • The 2024 Credit Union 1 MW Cross Country Championships will be broadcast on the Mountain West Network with Adam Diehl and Lauren Green calling the action.
  • Be sure to download the app, which is available on Android, IOS, Apple TV, Roku and Android TV. For more information visit TheMW.com.