BOULDER |The University of Colorado Boulder cross country teams are poised to kick off the 2023 season by hosting time trials on Friday, Sept. 1, at the Buffalo Run Cross Country Course.
The time trials are a collegiate event, exclusively for registered participants. However, the general public is warmly invited to attend and show their support for the athletes by cheering them on.
Colorado’s cross country teams are embarking on another chapter of their storied legacy. Under the leadership of head coach Mark Wetmore for over three decades and bolstered by a mix of seasoned athletes and promising newcomers, the Buffaloes are primed for the challenges of the 2023 season; with their sights set on making a solid run toward the NCAA cross country championship title.
2023 Recap:
Continuing their strong tradition, the men’s and women’s squads participated in their 14th consecutive NCAA championship together. The men’s team secured an eighth-place finish, while the women’s team achieved an 11th-place finish. Notably, three All-American finishes highlighted their performance, including a standout performance by Pac-12 individual champion Bailey Hertenstein. Hertenstein executed a remarkable move in the final 400 meters, catapulting from 16th place to an impressive fifth-place finish.
The women’s team emerged as the top performer among the Pac-12 schools, surpassing Utah, Stanford, and Oregon, who were initially ranked higher than Colorado in the final poll.
Austin Vancil and Andrew Kent played pivotal roles for the men’s team. Vancil maintained a strong position at the front for a significant portion of the race, making substantial progress in the final 2,000 meters to pass 10 runners and secure an All-American finish in 36th place with a time of 29:33.3. Kent closely trailed Vancil, advancing past 33 runners after the 3,000-meter mark. Kent narrowly missed an All-American finish, taking 43rd place overall with a time of 29:37.8. Seth Hirsch, Charlie Sweeney, and Brendan Fraser completed the scoring with 68th, 69th, and 86th-place finishes, respectively.
On the women’s side, the Buffaloes continued their dominance by securing their sixth Pac-12 Championship title on Oct. 28. Hertenstien established a new course record with a remarkable time of 19:11.3. Emily Covert (third place), and Ella Baran (seventh place)…
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