Alamosa, Colo. – With preseason polls coming to a close on Wednesday afternoon with the release of the USTFCCCA and RMAC Preseason Coaches' Polls, both the grizzlies men and women's teams were found near the top yet again.
With RMAC cross country kicking off this weekend, the Adams State Grizzlies women's and men's teams were tabbed to finish first and second, respectively, in the RMAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Lady Grizzlies accumulated 14 first-place votes and scored a total of 196 points. The men's team received three first-place votes and totaled 185 points, finishing seven points behind leader Colorado School of Mines.
The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association released its Preseason Coaches' Poll on Wednesday afternoon. The Adams State women's cross country team was ranked first in the nation with a total of 240 points and eight first-place votes. Adams State women finished second at the 2023 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships behind Grand Valley State. In the preseason poll, Grand Valley State was ranked second behind the Grizzlies.
The Grizzly men were voted to place third in the South Central Region and sixth in the country. In 2023, the Adams State men finished sixth at the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships.
"I am really excited about this year's teams. They seem to have a really good vibe to them. They have good juju. I think as a coach, you want to work with kids who are willing to learn and progress, and I think both teams have that mindset coming into the season.
On the women's side, we returned some really strong girls and added some new talent. I am encouraged because, from what I have seen early on, they have worked hard this summer to improve their fitness.
I know that on the men's side it is going to be an exciting season because we have a lot of new kids. But even though we have a lot of new kids, they are eager to step into the shoes that have been created by our history. They are excited to step up, and I am excited to see how they embrace that challenge.
I really believe that the best thing we have going is that they are taking things personally and holding each other accountable for what they did in the summer and how they are doing now. As a coach, you cannot ask for more than that because they are already in that mindset, and they want to chase history and put their own spin on it," said Head Coach Damon Martin.
The Grizzlies will make their debut on Saturday, Sept. 7, at home, hosting the Joe I. Vigil Open. The college men will run at 8:35 a.m., with the college women following at 9:10 a.m. at the Cattails Golf Course in Alamosa, Colo.
