Hannah Becker and Isaac Harding become first teammates to capture individual crowns in same year since Western Colorado in 2001, as Grand Valley State takes three of four titles, plus runner-up; Adams State women add to legacy, which now includes 57 overall cross country and track and field championships

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor/Photos by Todd Grasley

The odd years continued to produce familiar success Saturday for the Adams State women’s cross country team, which added to its NCAA record with an 19th national title and 57th in program history.

Grand Valley State managed to ride the momentum from its outdoor track and field championship in May by winning a second men’s cross country crown in four years at the Abbey Golf Course in Saint Leo, Fla.

And the Lakers provided a 1-2 punch in both the men’s 10-kilometer final and women’s 6-kilometer championship race, with Grand Valley State teammates taking the top two spots in both competitions.

It marked the first time since Western Colorado produced champions Hannah Lawrence and Michael Aish in 2001 that one program swept both individual titles in the same year.

RESULTS | PHOTOS | INTERVIEWS

Isaac Harding clocked 29 minutes, 58.3 seconds and Tanner Chada followed in 30:07.1 for Grand Valley State, which placed five scorers in the top 21 overall to prevail by a 43-84 margin over Adams State.

Colorado School of Mines, the 2019 champion, took third with 123 points and Augustana of South Dakota finished fourth with 222 points.

Andrew Hylen was 12th in 30:45.7, Enael Woldemichael took 14th in 30:48.9 and Jacob Lee secured 21st in 30:59.5 for the Lakers, who also had Caleb Futter (31:40.6) finish 46th and Jesse Becker (32:13.4) placing 77th.

It marked the first men’s team title since 2018 and extended Grand Valley State’s streak of podium finishes to eight straight seasons. Harding also became the first male athlete to capture a national cross country title in program history.

Adams State increased its men’s podium streak to 24 consecutive finals, producing another runner-up finish following 2019.

Isaiah Rodarte finished fifth in 30:26.3, Carson Bix was seventh in 30:36.5, Ahmed Sado placed 18th in 30:54.1 and Mikah Paiz took 26th in 31:07.9 for the Grizzlies, with Andrew O’Keefe just missing All-America honors by placing 41st in 31:29.9.

Dylan Ko placed fourth in 30:19.3, Kyle Moran finished ninth in 30:40.2 and Jake Mitchem earned 13th in 30:46.3 for Colorado School of Mines, which made its seventh podium appearance in a row.

Ryan Hartman was 22nd in 31:04.3 and Henry Klitzke placed 36th in 31:26.5 for Augustana, which returned to the podium for the first time since 2014.

CarLee Stimpfel of Saginaw Valley State took third in 30:09, as Michigan programs swept the top three individuals.

Although Wheaton College transfer Hannah Becker prevailed in the women’s 6-kilometer final in 20:22 and Klaudia O’Malley ran 20:26.9 for Grand Valley State to add to the strong Michigan presence, it was the depth of Adams State that triumphed again, producing a 59-79 victory.

The Grizzlies, who made their 20th straight podium appearance, have also won championships in 2015, 2017 and 2019. Adams State achieved its record 19th title, despite not returning any athletes from the 2019 championship lineup that had all seven competitors in the top 31 and matched the division all-time record with 23 points.

Adams State equaled the Division 3 success of North Central of Illinois, which has won 19 men’s national championships from 1975-2018 under coach Al Carius.

Augustana took third Saturday with 118 points and Colorado School of Mines placed fourth with 197 points.

Adams State had six All-Americans, including five scorers in the top 21, led by a sixth-place finish from Brianna Robles in 20:36.3. Wingate transfer Franziska Althaus (20:55.1) took 10th, followed by Central Arizona Junior College transfer Precious Robinson (20:57.1) in 11th, Morgan Hykes (21:07.7) finished 15th and Nicole Lawrence (21:13.4) placed 21st for the Grizzlies, who also had Fiona Hawkins (21:22.6) secure 34th and Ava O’Connor (21:33.4) grab 46th overall.

Along with Becker and O’Malley, Grand Valley State had Taryn Chapko finish 14th in 21:00.3. Natalie Graber (21:23.9) and Kayce Rypma (21:25.2) were 35th and 36th, both earning All-America honors for the Lakers. Becker became the first female athlete to secure the individual title for Grand Valley State since Sarah Berger in 2018.

Megan Means earned eighth (20:46.2), Nicolette Schmidt (21:12.6) finished 20th, PJ English (21:18.7) placed 28th and Mia Salas (21:21.5) secured 32nd for Augustana, which returned to the podium for the first time since 2012.

Molly Maksin secured 23rd in 21:14 and Zoe Baker placed 25th in 21:16.1 for Colorado School of Mines, which achieved back-to-back podium finishes for the first time in women’s program history.

Fatima Alanis of Queens in North Carolina, a decorated global triathlete, took third in her first cross country final in 20:28.1, Celine Ritter of Lee in Tennessee finished fourth in 20:30.5 and Lara Orrock of Wingate of North Carolina placed fifth in 20:35.8.