BY SETH MENSING | University Communications Manager
When the Western Colorado University trail running team arrived just outside Moab, Utah, for the 2024 Collegiate Trail Running Championships on November 2, they had a target on their backs. After taking top honors at the Championships last year, they were the team to beat. But their backs were the only thing the competition saw as the Mountaineer team ran away with the Collegiate Trail Running Championship for the second consecutive year.
Led by Head Coach Josh Eberly, Western’s team placed 26 runners in the half-marathon and another six runners in the full marathon, which take place on the rugged trails of Kane Creek, following the Pritchett Canyon Trail before connecting to Hunter Canyon. The event, endorsed by the College Running Association and hosted with the USATF Trail Half Marathon Championships, drew top athletes from across the nation.
Western’s Anders Hekkli claimed first place in the men’s half-marathon, followed closely by teammate Bayden Menton in second. Nate Rengo and Frank DeCew finished fourth and fifth, respectively, showing just how completely Western dominated the field.
On the women’s side, Adah Chapman led the charge with an impressive second-place finish, while Maisy Morley and Amelie Lepple crossed the line in fourth and fifth, rounding out an impressive showing by Western’s female athletes.
In the marathon division, Zane Wasicko and Ryan Welsh finished fifth and eighth, respectively, with McKenzie McConnell notching a personal best by shaving 10 minutes off her previous time.
Success Grows from Mountaineer Grit and Preparation
The team’s strong showing was no accident. After an intense season, the athletes arrived in Moab ready to tackle the world-famous terrain, ranging from challenging uphills, downhills, technical sections, and stretches of fast dirt-road running, Eberly said. Their preparation paid off, with Western securing the top mixed-team score by combining the best times from two male and two female runners.
Eberly, celebrating his tenth year leading the program, praised the athletes’ effort and resilience. “The entire team showed up and gave their best effort,” he said. “This race was an A-goal for most of them, and with a great taper leading up to it, they performed exceptionally well.”
Trail Running on the Rise
As one of the country’s few collegiate trail running teams, Western is at the cutting edge of a growing sport and has even earned a coveted sponsorship from Adidas Terrex, which provides athletes with all the equipment they need for the season.
“Collegiate trail running is still a relatively new concept, and not many colleges have a dedicated trail running team like ours,” Eberly said. “However, we saw more competition this year compared to last, with more collegiate runners joining the event. We’re excited to see this growth and look forward to welcoming even more teams and runners at our next championship!”
A Change of Season
Many of Western’s Mountain Sports Trail Running athletes are already making the transition to winter training for Nordic ski racing or the ever-growing sport of Ski Mountaineering, which is slated to make its Olympic debut in 2026. And with a strong roster, the team is poised to continue its trail running success into 2025 and beyond.
“Our program has produced many top-tier athletes over the years, and we currently have a strong roster of talented, hard-working athletes who are ranked among the best regionally and nationally,” Eberly said. “This team is one to watch, as the investment in their development is consistently producing exceptional trail and ultra runners.”
Photo Credit: Courtesy
