Adams State looks to add yet another men's and women's national title

Aug. 27, 2009

NCAA.com Staff

Well, it can’t get any worse than last year, can it?

The nation’s best Division II cross country runners had to endure what was described as “20 degree day with howling winds, blowing snow and inches of mud” by the folks at Western State during the NCAA Championships in Slippery Rock, Pa. last year. Chances are the conditions won’t be nearly as tough this time out when Southern Indiana and the Southern Indiana Cross Country Course play host to the 2009 NCAA Championships Nov. 21.

Men

Adams State
The defending national champions will be among the favorites this fall as the Grizzlies return five of their top seven runners from last year’s squad. Senior Aaron Braun, who has finished second at the NCAA Championships for the second straight season, will lead the way for the Grizzlies. Behind him will be three other seniors who finished in the top 25. Adams State was a 21-point victor over archrival Western State in last year’s title meet and we could very well see another showdown between the two to end the season.

Women

Adams State
The Grizzlies have won 14 national championships in the 28 years since a champion has been crowned for the Division II women. Few programs have been as dominant in their respective sports as the women of Adams State have and they certainly have the ingredients to win a seventh straight national championship this fall. They will lose their top two runners from last season, but something tells us that won’t hold back the Grizzlies.