REBELS FINISH EIGHTH AT MW CHAMPIONSHIPS
This is UNLV’s best finish since 2008.
@UNLVTRACKCC | Final Results | 2022 Schedule
The UNLV cross country team finished eighth in the women’s 6k at the 2022 Mountain West Cross Country Championships during a chilly but sunny Friday morning. The race was contested on the Jacoby Golf Course at the University of Wyoming.
Known as one of the most difficult race courses in the NCAA due to the elevation being 7,220 feet, the Scarlet & Gray were definitely out of their comfort zones but still attacked the race with confidence and strength.
The Rebels competed against 98 individuals and 10 other teams and won the always competitive battle between the “sea level” programs in the conference, finishing ahead of San Diego State, San Jose State and Fresno State.
Sophomore standout Natalia Ruiz led the Rebels, finishing in the top 45 with a time of 21:14.08. Ruiz bravely went out with the lead pack and was in the top 20 through the first loop, running alongside the No. 2 team in the country and meet winner New Mexico and runner up Colorado State.
Junior Isabella Schrader followed Ruiz, finishing in the top 70 with a time of 23:43.9 and providing the Rebels with a strong second finish for the squad, sophomore Aitza Romero, who arrived less than 12 hours before the race and did not get the chance to acclimate to the elevation, ran her second best career time and came in third for the Rebels (24:42.9). Romero was followed by junior Mackenzie Moss with a time of 25:09.5 and freshmen/MWC first timers Nicole Boskovich and Abigail Danlag came in at 25:21.2 and 25:35.2, respectively.
QUOTABLE: “Really happy, this is probably the happiest I’ve ever been with an eighth place finish. The team goal was to finish ahead of all the “sea level” schools, especially in this high elevation and the girls pulled it off. There were definitely some challenging circumstances to overcome, Ellen Wise was unable to compete due to an achilles injury and LaKyla also went down during the race, but all the other athletes stepped up and did their thing.
Natalia ran a great race and tried to stay up in the front, Colorado State did have their own battle up in front to try to break her, but she stayed strong and had a solid race. Isabella was a strong number two today, really gave it all she got. I’m especially proud of Aitza who had some flight issues, wasn’t able to travel with the team and came in last night but still had such a strong race with her second best career time in the 6k. Mackenzie also ran great, along with freshman Nicole Boskovich who really shined today.
The team accomplished the goal we set out to do, I’m really proud of them for executing this goal and excited to see what we do next season.” – Head Coach Dorian Scott
2022 Mountain West Women’s Cross Country Championships
Jacoby Golf Course
Laramie, Wyoming
Friday, October 28
Team Results
Team Scoring
1. New Mexico – 24 points
2. Colorado State – 61
3. Utah State – 99
4. Wyoming – 110
5. Boise State – 112
6. Air Force – 135
7. UNR – 199
8. UNLV – 264
9. Fresno State – 273
10. San Diego State – 326
11. San Jose State – 330