Full official results are available:
Women’s-
https://admin.xosn.com/pdf9/2975119.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=26000&
Men’s-
https://admin.xosn.com/pdf9/2975209.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=26000&
And, since I don’t know how many serious running fans there are, thought I’d give my TOTALLY UNEXPERT thumbnail of the Buff’s finishers today, along with notes on what it might mean for the future. (I ask for forgiveness in advance for any inaccuracies in the below.)
Women’s (in order of their finishing place in this regional race):
1) Erin Clark (2[SUP]nd[/SUP] overall)- Just another great race from the Buff’s leader in every significant race this year. Only a sophomore, so great the Buffs get her for a few more years.
2) Maddie Alm (7[SUP]th[/SUP] overall)- I don’t believe the junior, from Louisville CO, contributed much to the Buff's scoring last year, but has consistently been the Buff’s 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] or 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] finisher this year. Obviously has put a lot of work in, and has come on strong this year.
3) Sara Sutherland (9[SUP]th[/SUP] overall)- Her nice finish here could be a good sign the Buffs could out-perform the outside experts expectations at nationals. The senior, actually a grad student transfer from the U of Texas, was considered a key to the Buffs chances of a decent finish at nationals, although there was a question mark since she was coming back from injury. In the last two races this year (Pre nationals and Pac 12), she finished quite a ways back in the field, but this result indicates she’s rounding into form. (She finished 58th in the 2012 national championships. Anything like that this year would be a great result for the Buffs scoring.)
4) Annie Kelly (12[SUP]th[/SUP] overall) - Has been another solid contributor through the year. Another transfer (from the U. of Mississippi) contributing to the Buffs, she’s also another younger runner (sophomore) who should only get better.
5) Kaitlyn Benner (13[SUP]th[/SUP] overall) - Scoring in a big race like this as a freshman- awesome performance! Also, always nice to see local young ones (she went to Monarch High School) do well.
6) Jenny DeSouchet (16[SUP]th[/SUP] overall)- Such a positive the Buffs had many close high finishers like this so, if one of the young women above had not finished as high, this result still would have been enough for the Buffs to win the team race. Ms. DeSouchet generally been a valuable Buff’s scorer all year, and was the Buffs #4 at the recent Pac 12’s.
7) Mackenzie Caldwell (36[SUP]th[/SUP] overall) - Another nice performance for a freshman (this one from Indiana). Even though the Buff’s lowest finisher, she finished in the upper 1/3’rd of the overall field of 133 finishers, and higher than at least one runner (and in most cases many runners) who scored for every other team, so raised those other teams’ scores.
Overall, today was a good sign the Buffs, if they have a good day, could end up better than their current #12 national ranking at the upcoming national championships.
And, looking forward, the Buffs could definitely have podium aspirations next year with:
A) all but one of the above runners coming back,
B) Hopefully two Buffs (at least) who are out with injury this year (I know of Junior Carrie Verdon and Sophomore Melanie Nun) who were major contributors last year will be back and healthy next year and
C) The Buffs have what looks like a nice recruiting class coming in, including 3 high school state cross country champions (Colorado 2A, Arizona and Pennsylvania), two of whom are ranked as the top 25 in the country.
Men (in order of their finishing place in this regional race):
1[SUP]st[/SUP], wanted to mention it looks like Buff leader Blake Theroux doesn’t show with a time today. Assuming he’s feeling OK (no information he’s not), nice if he got to rest up and be ready for next week. Overall, the Buffs great depth seems to mean they have 6 runners who finish near the front, all of whom could be the Buffs #1 finisher.
1) Connor Winter (4[SUP]th[/SUP] Overall) - The Buffs top 6 seem to trade off who finishes 1[SUP]st[/SUP] of the Buffs each race. Must have been Mr. Winter’s turn. Seriously, great to see the junior get the win. He was one of if not the only Buff with an off day in last year’s national championships (he didn’t score for the Buffs with a 145[SUP]th[/SUP] team score place), so I’m sure will be hungry for a great finish at nationals.
2) Jake Hurysz (7[SUP]th[/SUP] overall)- Considered (at least in interviews I’ve seen) maybe the hungriest Buff, the senior had to redshirt due to injury last year, so
really wants the Buffs to repeat as national championship this year.
3) Ammar Moussa (9[SUP]th[/SUP] overall)- The high school phenom (2 time California Gatorade cross country runner of the year) was a little behind the other great Buffs last year, although his charge as the Buffs 5[SUP]th[/SUP] finisher at the national championships was key to their winning. This year as a junior, he’s right with all the others, and probably the most visible improvement that has made the Buffs depth so dominant.
4) Pierce Murphy (12[SUP]th[/SUP] overall) - Just another of the Buffs key pieces. Thankfully only a junior, so will also hopefully be able to be one of the Buff’s main contributors next year.
5) Ben Saarel (13[SUP]th[/SUP] overall) - And, another of the “big 6” who has been a consistent high scorer. A high profile high school recruit, he could have a special career for the Buffs both in cross country and track. Ended up the Buff’s top scorer in last year’s national championships with an 8[SUP]th[/SUP] place finish, extra awesome since he was a freshman.
6) Adam Peterman (64[SUP]th[/SUP] overall) - Another young Buff, he’s listed as a sophomore, but his cubuffs.com biography said he didn’t compete last year. Just keeps gaining valuable experience for future years.
As I’ve also mentioned in other threads, the Buffs are dominating so far this year without one of their main 3-4 runners from last year Morgan Pearson, who as a senior is evidently red shirting this year. His being able to come back next year should help the Buffs remain one of the favorites next year, along with the 4 juniors and 2 sophomores named above, along with I don’t know who else on the roster who is working hard to be a contributor in the future, as well as any incoming freshmen coming to Boulder next year.