Men's Championship - 10,000 Meters

Coming into the 2004 NCAA Division II Championships the men's team battle was shaping up to be a replay of the past 6 editions of the race as it was either Adams State or Western State, both of Colorado, that had walked away with top team honors. Adams was the defending champ was ranked #2 in the nation while Western was the top ranked team in the nation and looking to add to the titles it had won in 1995, 1999 and 2002.

As the two race leaders, Peter Kosgei (Harding) and Nicodemus Naimadu (Abiline Christian), flew past the 1 mile post in 4:25, behind them runners from Adams and Western had placed all there scores in the top 15. The fast pace over the flat opening 2 miles would take its toll on Kosgei and the Adams team as the runners worked there way through the hilly back woods section of the course.

As the leaders returned to the open field area for the final 1.5 miles, a pack of three runners were left to battle for the individual title as Kosgei and Naimadu were joined by Oliver Bodor (Western). With 1 mile to go Naimadu went to the front and forced the pace which immediately dropped Kosgei. With 200 meters left in the race it looked like Naimadu was a sure winner, but Bodor was not done and launched one last attack in an attempt to catch the Kenyan freshman, but came up a step short.

Just as the fast early pace had taken its toll on the early race leader Kosgei, it also affected the Adams State team as Western placed 3 runners in the top 10 and all 5 of its scorers in the top 16 to reclaim the team title by a 37 point margin.

Third place finisher Kelly Christensen summed up the team feeling at Western: "With about 600 to go I looked across the field and I saw our 5th man shake his fist and I knew we had the team title locked up and it sent a shiver down my spine. I knew right away our team title was won and that was the ultimate goal this year."

Top 10 teams

1. Western State 39
2. Adams State 76
3. Abilene Christian 137
4. Cal State Chico 144
5. Harding 196
6. Grand Valley State 213
7. Edinboro 231
8. Hillsdale College 246
9. Lock Haven 256
10. Kennesaw 271

Top 10 Individuals

1 Nicodemus Naimadu Abilene Christian 31:38.1
2 Oliver Bodor Western State 31:38.2
3 Kelly Christensen Western State 31:52.0
4 Peter Kosgei Harding 32:02.3
5 Joshua Merrick Adams State 32:08.9
6 William Banks Western State 32:08.9
7 Jesus Solis Adams State 32:20.8
8 Moses Tum Colorado-Colorado Springs 32:22.1
9 Patrick Boivin Cal State Chico 32:28.3
10 Bernard Manirakiza Abilene Christian 32:31.9

Full men's results can be found at: www.usi.edu/ sports/xcc_championships/MenD-IIResults.htm.

Women's Championship - 6,000 meters

Just like the men's championship, Adams and Western had dominated the recent battles for the team titles as one of the two schools has won the team title since 1992. And just like in the men's race, the two schools entered the championships as the #1(Adams) and #2(Western) teams in the nation. And just like the men's race these two teams would quickly establish themselves at the front of the field, but a 3rd team would also join in the fight, Edinboro State of PA.

As the race began to unfold, Western had 2 runners set in the top 6, but Adams' overall depth, having all 5 of its scorers in the top 20, would overwhelm the field and help them storm off to an easy 70 point victory over Edinboro.

As the race worked its way through the hilly trail section of the course, the runners from Edinboro moved through the pack and slowly picked off runners as they struggled, enabling them to claim the 2nd place trophy.

At the front of the field defending champ Chelsea Smith (BYU- Hawaii) took over the lead as the field worked into the 2nd mile and pulled away to a controlled 3 second victory.

Top 10 Teams

1. Adams State 31
2. Edinboro 101
3. Western State 134
4. Grand Valley State 171
5. Kennesaw State 215
6. Cal State Chico 219
7. Northern Michigan 234
8. Tampa 242
9. Harding 277
10. Central Missouri State 322

Top 10 Individuals

1 Chelsea Smith Brigham Young-Hawaii 21:33.0
2 Allison Kreutzer Clayton State 21:36.0
3 Alisha Williams Western State 21:42.7
4 Karen Dickson Seattle Pacific 21:43.4
5 Victoria Martinez Adams State 21:46.4
6 Agnes Kroneraff Western State 21:50.7
7 Stephanie Bylander Adams State 21:51.9
8 Mindy Sawtelle Indiana - Pennsylvania 21:54.1
9 Addeh Mwamba Abilene Christian 21:56.2
10 Julie Nemergut Edinboro 21:59.7

Full women's results can be found at: www.usi.edu/sports/xcc_championships/WomenD-IIResults.htm.