ALAMOSA, Colo. – The Adams State University Men's and Women's Cross-Country teams open up the 2019 season at home this weekend, as the Grizzlies host the 26^th annual Joe I. Vigil Invitational meet September 7th.Saturday's races kick off with an early 8 a.m. start of the Middle School 3K followed by the University men's 8K at 8:45. Coming into the season with a top 5 rank in the National Coaches Poll, the Grizzlies are set to begin the new season with a bang. University Women's open will follow the Men's, after the High School Boy's 5K. Lady Grizzlies are projected at the top of the National Coaches Poll and are looking to set the standard on home turf.

About Joe I. Vigil
Vigil led the Adams State men's program from 1965-1993 and won a total of 19 national Collegiate Championships. In that span Vigil guided the program to 87 individual national championships to go along with 425 All-Americans. Vigil not only succeeded at the collegiate level but also at the elite level. After his time with Adams State, he coached Team USA in two Olympic Games and  seven World Cross Country Championships. In that span his athletes won 20 global medals.

Vigil's impact on the running committee is one that will stand the test of time. He was one of the four founding fathers of the United States of America Track and Field (USATF) Coaches Education Program. With his help in creating this program, Vigil has helped present running clinics at the high school, collegiate, national, and international level. In all, he has presented clinics in 27 countries around the world.

Throughout his prestigious career as both a coach and educator, Coach Vigil has been named the National Coach of the Year 14 times, inducted into 12 different hall of fames, and was awarded the Professor Emeritus at Adams State. Prior to his time at Adams State, Dr. Vigil coached Alamosa High School to eight state championships in track and field. He is a member of the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame and NAIA Hall of Fame.

STARTING LINE
The Adams State men and women come into 2019 ranked No. 5 and No. 1 after a 4^th place finish by the men and 3^rd place finish by the women in the 2018 Division II National Championships. The Adams State women will come into 2019 with a very familiar core, who know the national stage well. Eilish and Roisin Flanagan, Kaylee Bogina, Haleigh Hunter-Galvan will be kicking off their senior year looking to revisit the top of the podium in this year's National Championship, a view seen by the four just two years ago.

The Grizzly men look to claim a 14^th overall title for the 2019 season. Kale Adams, Joshua Joseph, Godfrey Chama, and Miguel Villar will be at the core early Saturday morning hoping for an electric start to the season at home.

Opposition on the women's side include Western State Colorado University, coming in ranked No. 3 in the National Coaches Poll. Trinidad State will also make an appearance, showcasing young talent in effort to have a smooth beginning to the 2019 season. Western State Colo. University men's cross country comes into 2019 ranked third, being Adams State's biggest threat at home, Saturday. However, with a healthy Joshua Joseph and a motivated Kale Adams in the mix, the men's 8K will be the race to watch. Tune into the men's and women's races on Facebook Saturday morning. Fans can follow the ASU Grizzlies to catch the races on Facebook Live at their respective times.

UP NEXT
Following their home meet, the Grizzlies will set off to Colorado Springs, Colo. to the Colorado College Invitational hosted by Colorado College on Sept. 14.