LUBBOCK, Tex. (Nov. 10) – The Chaparral Ridge XC Course is set to host a clash of collegiate titans at the 2023 Mountain Region Cross Country Championships this Friday, with the Texas Tech Red Raiders welcoming a field brimming with national contenders.
The Mountain Region, unparalleled in its depth, will see 11 nationally-ranked programs toe the line, with Northern Arizona University (NAU) leading the charge, holding the No. 1 spot in both the women’s and men’s rankings.
The question on everyone’s mind: Can NAU continue their dominant streak and set the stage for a national title run?
The day’s events will kick off with the women’s 6K at 10 a.m. CT, followed by the men’s 10K at 11 a.m. CT. Spectators can track live results via this link | Box Assignments
Both men and women of Northern Arizona University’s Lumberjacks have their sights set on a feat not achieved since Colorado’s back-to-back regional sweeps in 2014 and 2015. NAU men have won five of the last six Mountain Region Cross Country Championships, losing to BYU in Utah at the 2021 championship.
The team’s commanding performances at the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational, where the men outpaced BYU by 86 points and the women bested former No. 1 NC State by 43, underscore their potential to dominate the regional titles.
Read more: No. 4 BYU edges No. 6 Oklahoma State to win Big 12 Cross Country Championship 2023
Yet, intrigue looms as the NAU women have yet to face off against the formidable BYU women’s team, which looked very impressive when beating Oklahoma State at the Big 12 Championships. This set the stage for a highly anticipated showdown, one that you won’t want to miss!
New Mexico is the defending women’s champion and Northern Arizona comes in as the reigning men’s champ.
For those planning to attend, note that NCAA regulations permit only service animals on the premises.
The women’s roster is stacked with powerhouses, including:
- No. 1 Northern Arizona
- No. 3 BYU
- No. 13 Colorado
- No. 20 Utah
- No. 22 Utah Valley
- No. 27 Colorado State
On the men’s side, the competition is equally fierce, with teams like:
- No. 1 Northern Arizona
- No. 3 BYU
- No. 19 New Mexico
- No. 23 Colorado
- No. 24 Air Force
As the teams converge on Lubbock, the stage is set for a day of gritty competition that could very well preview the national championship podium.
