by CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The University of Colorado cross country teams got their 2019 season underway on Friday night at the Wyoming Invitational.
Both of CU’s squads recorded second place finishes with a few of the Buffaloes’ top runners racing unattached or not competing. The women were just five points from Colorado State (34-39), while the men totaled 51 points to Wyoming’s 47 on the 5-kilometer course at The Little America Golf Course.
MEN’S RACE:
The CU men were led by Alec Hornecker’s third-place finish. Hornecker crossed the finish in 15:18.9. CU’s second uniformed runner was Joe Klecker, who finished fifth in 15:19.5, just a half second behind Hornecker.
“Usually, at this time of the year, we know the front of the varsity, but not exactly who will fill in the rest,” head coach Mark Wetmore said. “That’s one of the functions of this first meet, to discover who might be traveling later in the season as the importance of the races ramps up.”
Running in his first collegiate race unattached, Kashon Harrison (Navajo) recorded a seventh-place finish (15:21.9), which was a full second in front of teammate John Dressel (15:22.9), who was running in uniform. CU’s fourth scorer was Eduardo Herrera, clocking in a 12th place finish (15:28.4).
Before CU’s fifth scorer crossed the finish, the Buffs had a trio of unattached racers finish 14-15-16. Noah Hibbard led the group in 14th with a time of 15:32.8, while Austin Vancil was 15th (15:33.6). Rounding out the trio was Hunter Appleton (16th, 15:40.6).
“Kashon (Harrison) was a little impulsive, but hung on to a good finish,” said Wetmore. “Now we have to convince him to be more patient. The other freshman (Hibbard, Vancil and Appleton) were not far behind him. They have all had good summers. Some may end up in uniform this fall.”
