The men and women’s cross-country teams participated in the RMAC Cross Country Championships in Silver City, N.M., on Saturday.

Running four 2000-meter loops through the roughs and fairways of a golf course, the men’s team placed ninth of 13 competing schools.

“I’m kind of disappointed with the team’s score. We were hoping to get probably fifth or sixth,” said third-year runner Shane Niksic, who placed third for the Mavs and 55th overall.

The women’s team, running three 2000-meter loops on the same course, placed 10th of 14 without the participation of Shannon Emery, one of its top runners, who had to sit out the contest with an injury.

Both teams matched their results from last year’s RMAC Championships in Colorado Springs. Still, Niksic is taking these results as a mark of improvement.

“Just the whole conference is a lot stronger than it was last year, which is good because it’s really good competition,” Niksic said. “It’s a really good learning experience.”

Considering the youth of both the men and women’s teams, the pieces are in place for considerable advancement in the RMAC for CMU cross-country in the coming seasons.

Adams State and Western State claimed the top spots in Saturday’s contest, splitting the RMAC awards in the categories for Men and Women’s Team Champion, Runner of the Year, Freshman of the Year and Coach of the Year.

amaeche@mavs.coloradomesa.edu