PUEBLO, Colo. - The Colorado State University Pueblo men's and women's cross country teams have officially earned their spot in the 2025 NCAA Division II South Central Regional Championships, which will be hosted by CSU Pueblo on November 8th at Walking Stick Golf Course.
The ThunderWolves women's team, currently ranked No. 19 nationally, has been one of the most consistent programs in the country this fall, showcasing impressive depth and leadership. The squad is led by senior Jadyn Herron, a veteran from last year's national championship third-place team, who was CSU Pueblo's top finisher at the RMAC Championships last weekend, placing 22nd overall.
On the men's side, the ThunderWolves are unranked entering the postseason but will look to capitalize on their home-course advantage and repeat last year's strong regional showing. The Pack are led by experienced returners Kameron Eustace and Jon Sweepe, both key contributors to last year's national championship appearance team.
Last season, both squads made noise at the South Central Regional Meet held at Washington Park in Denver. The men's team placed fifth, earning a berth to the NCAA National Championships, while the women's team finished sixth, also qualifying for nationals in back-to-back seasons.
This year's regional meet at Walking Stick Golf Course provides CSU Pueblo with another opportunity to showcase its home course on the national stage, as the ThunderWolves aim to defend their standing among the region's elite.
Head Coach Matt Morris praised both squads for their consistency and work ethic throughout the season."It's always special to run at home, and we're incredibly proud to bring the regional championship to Pueblo," said Morris. "Both our men's and women's teams have worked tirelessly to be in this position, and we're excited to showcase what Pack cross country is all about."
The NCAA South Central Regional Championships will feature some of the nation's top programs from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) and the Lone Star Conference (LSC). The South Central Region continues to be one of the deepest in Division II, highlighted by a powerful showing at last week's RMAC Championships.
No. 1 Colorado School of Mines continued its dominant season by capturing its first-ever RMAC women's title behind a record-breaking run from Grace Strongman, who clocked 20:06.7 to win the individual crown. The Orediggers placed all five scoring runners inside the top nine. No. 2 UC-Colorado Springs surged up the national rankings after a runner-up finish, led by standout freshman Elizabeth McQuitty, who placed sixth overall. No. 3 Adams State secured third place, paced by junior Tristian Spence, who earned runner-up honors in 20:14.9, while Western Colorado finished fourth to round out a strong RMAC showing.
The men's championship proved equally dramatic. Adams State edged Colorado School of Mines in a tightly contested battle, 32-41, flipping their positions in the regional hierarchy. The Grizzlies came out fast and never looked back, holding off a late surge from the Orediggers to capture the RMAC crown. Meanwhile, No. 3 Colorado Christian elected to rest several top runners in preparation for regionals, while No. 4 Western Colorado took its shot against the league's heavyweights—placing all five scorers inside the top 16 in an impressive effort that still wasn't enough to unseat the frontrunners.
From the Lone Star Conference, No. 4 West Texas A&M claimed its league title with 37 points, showcasing its depth despite a wide spread of more than two and a half minutes between its first and fifth scorers.
With the South Central Regional Meet now approaching, the ThunderWolves will look to build on their momentum and take advantage of familiar terrain at Walking Stick Golf Course, a challenging route known for its rolling layout.
