COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – After shining at the Highlander Invitational in Riverside, Calif., Adams State University senior Awet Beraki was named the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week as announced by conference officials on Wednesday afternoon.

The award comes on the heels of national recognition as the Colorado Springs, Colo. native was named the USTFCCCA Division II Runner of the Week on Monday.

Beraki captured the individual crown at the Highlander Invitational, breaking the tape in 23:23.6 for an 8,000-meter PR. Beraki jumped out to an early lead at the 4,000-meter mark in 11:06.2 and held on to win by 21.4 seconds over Arizona's Ian Sanchez Lopez. Adams State put together a dominating performance to capture the team title over Azusa Pacific, 24-103, as Beraki led the Grizzlies' scoring runners to top-10 finishes.

The Grizzlies will have a small contingent of runners in Colorado Springs on Friday when they compete in the UCCS XC Open at Cherokee Ridge Golf Course. The Grizzlies will then focus on championship season when they travel to Durango, Colo. on Saturday, Nov. 5 to participate in the 2022 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Championships at Hill Crest Golf Course.