RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Adams State University men's and women's cross country teams delivered impressive performances at the 2026 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Cross Country Championships on Saturday, November 7, at Hart Ranch in Rapid City, South Dakota. The Grizzlies' men's team captured the conference championship with 33 points, while the women's team earned a runner-up finish with 55 points. The Grizzlies also earned two individual awards with Thibault Tauziede earning Freshman of the Meet along with Coach Damon Martin also earning a coaching honor. 

Men's 8K — RMAC Champions
The Adams State men's cross country team claimed the RMAC Championship with a dominant team performance, placing all five scoring runners among the top 11 finishers. Chakib Cherkaoui led the Grizzlies with a third-place finish, completing the 8K course in 23:31.0. Thibault Tauziede followed closely in fourth place with a time of 23:34.3, while Jack Gumm finished sixth in 23:38.8. Jessiel Paez delivered a strong performance, finishing ninth in a personal-best time of 23:47.6. Kamohelo Ramatsebe rounded out Adams State's scoring five with an 11th-place finish in 23:51.8. Sfiso Makolomakwa also contributed a solid performance, placing 13th overall in 23:53.9. The Grizzlies totaled 33 points to secure the conference title, finishing 15 points ahead of second-place Colorado School of Mines (48). Western Colorado placed third with 79 points, followed by UCCS (107) and CSU Pueblo (116). Colorado School of Mines' Dawson Gunn claimed the individual championship in 23:17.3, while UCCS runner Brett Davis finished second in 23:26.7. 

Women's 6K — RMAC Runner-Up
The Adams State women's cross country team earned second place at the RMAC Championships, scoring 55 points behind conference champion Western Colorado, which finished with 40 points. Claragh Keane led the Grizzlies with a seventh-place finish, completing the 6K course in 21:14.9. Keira Damron followed in ninth place with a time of 21:25.7, while Mary Ngige finished 10th in 21:26.1. Aspen Fulbright continued the team's strong showing, placing 12th in 21:28.8. Jazmin Estrada completed Adams State's scoring five with a 17th-place finish in 21:45.0. Amal Kachouri also represented the Grizzlies among the top 20 finishers, placing 20th in 21:49.9. Adams State's five scoring runners finished inside the top 17, helping the Grizzlies secure second place ahead of UCCS (64), Colorado School of Mines (69), and Colorado Mesa (138). Colorado School of Mines' Emily Lamena captured the individual women's championship with a time of 20:38.2, followed by Western Colorado's Peyton Weiss (20:51.5) and Brighton Mooney (20:59.1).

Up Next
The Grizzlies will continue their postseason campaign at the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Cross Country Championships on Saturday, November 21, in Lubbock, Texas. Both teams will look to build on their RMAC Championship performances as they compete for qualification to the NCAA Division II National Championships.

Place Athlete Time

3 Chakib Cherkaoui 23:31.0

4 Thibault Tauziede 23:34.3

6 Jack Gumm 23:38.8

9 Jessiel Paez 23:47.6 (PB)

11 Kamohelo Ramatsebe 23:51.8

13 Sfiso Makolomakwa 23:53.9

Women's 6K

Place Athlete Time

7 Claragh Keane 21:14.9

9 Keira Damron 21:25.7

10 Mary Ngige 21:26.1

12 Aspen Fulbright 21:28.8

17 Jazmin Estrada 21:45.0

20 Amal Kachouri 21:49.9