For the first time in 25 years, a runner outside of Western State and Adams State won the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference race. That runner is Alexis Skarda.
The Mesa State women’s cross country team finished fourth in the RMAC Championships on Saturday in Las Vegas, Nev. Western State won the championship by upsetting defending national champions Adams State. But Mesa junior Skarda stole the headlines as she crossed the finish line first to become the individual RMAC champion 22 seconds ahead of Adams State’s Kristin McGlynn.
“The first thing I thought about crossing that finish line was just relief and excitement,” Skarda said. “I wasn’t sure how big of a gap I had in front of the Adams runner, so I gave everything I had to make sure I didn’t get passed running down the final stretch of the race.”
“Western and Adams are known to be two of the best running programs in the nation and have been the only two schools to claim the RMAC title, so I’m thrilled to represent Mesa with the title and help get our name known as a team who can compete with our extremely competitive conference,” Skarda said. “It’s a big motivator for Regionals.”
With the win, Skarda sealed many other awards. She was named to the All-RMAC team and was named the RMAC Runner of the Year. Despite the individual honors, she is most impressed by her team’s performance all season long.
“Our cross country team has grown immensely the past couple years and we’re only getting started,” Skarda said. “We have such a fun, hard working group of girls and I’m so glad to be a part of it. There’s never a dull moment. We competed great as a team at RMAC, coming in fourth behind Western and Adams, and we’re excited to see what we can do at Regionals.”
Regionals begin Nov. 20 in Wayne, Neb. The team will have a chance to compete for Nationals, which begin Dec. 4 in Louisville, Kent. Many members, including Skarda, will then compete for Mesa State in indoor track team.
“I want to focus on the mile and try to compete for the indoor National,” Skarda said.
With the fall seasons coming to a close at Mesa State, Skarda brings the school a bit of success and a bit of hope for the spring cross country season.
“It feels great to represent Mesa State as the RMAC champ,” Skarda said.
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ahimes@mesastate.edu