Alexis Skarda will be making her second trip to the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships after placing second in Saturday’s Central Regional Championship in Wayne, Neb.
Skarda, whose time of 21:01 was a personal record, lost to Adam State’s Kristen McGlynn by eight seconds.
The Mavericks failed to secure a team spot in the national meet after they finished ninth in points. Kelsey Follett was the team’s second best runner, finishing 34th in 23:07.
Skarda, a junior, will compete at the national meet on Dec. 4 at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Ky. Her first trip to nationals, as a freshman in 2008, resulted in a 19th place finish with a time of 22:16.

The women’s basketball team opened the regular season with two wins.
Wednesday, the Mavs beat Colorado College 89-39 in Colorado Springs. The Mavs were led by sophomore Sharaya Selsor, who had 23 points. Five Mesa State players, including Selsor, finished with 10 or more points.
Friday in Goodwell, Okla., the Mavs beat Oklahoma Panhandle State University 71-46. Katie Brady had 12 points and Alaina Brennan had 11 points with eight rebounds.
The women play at Brownson Arena at 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday as part of the Thanksgiving Classic.

The men’s basketball team picked up two season-opening wins at the Al Kaley Classic in Pueblo.
Friday the Mavs beat Oklahoma Panhandle 72-43 after losing 25-23 at the half. Michael Bear and Nate Nelson both had 14 points in the win.
Saturday, the Mavs beat York (Neb.) College 82-73. Colton Burgon scored 22 points and had seven rebounds. Burgon was named MVP of the tournament, and Bear was also named to the all-tournament team.