Emmah Chelimo and Nancy Jeptoo ran to top-10 finishes Saturday while lifting UAA to eighth place at the NCAA Division II cross-country championships in Sacramento, California.
Chelimo, who earlier this month won the West Region title, grabbed fifth place in the 6-kilometer women's race. Jeptoo placed 10th.
Also earning All-America honors for the Seawolves were Wesley Kirui and Felix Kemboi, who finished 29th and 37th, respectively, in the men's 10K race.
The top 40 finishers in each race garnered All-America status. Among those making the grade was South High grad Derek Steele, who finished 38th for Colorado School of Mines.
Steele's team won the men's team title. The individual crown went to Ezra Mutai of American International in 29 minutes, 31 seconds. Kirui finished in 30:33, Kemboi in 30:39 and Steele in 30:40.
Adams State dominated the women's competition. Stephanie Cotter led a 1-2-3 finish in a speedy 19:15.5 as Adams State compiled an impressive team score with 23 points.
UAA totaled 374 to place eighth in the women’s standings. Chelimo finished in 20:18, Jeptoo in 20:30, 99th-place Joan Kipsanai in 21:38, 160th-place Ruth Cvancara in 22:16, 165th-place Yvonne Jeschke in 22:19, 254th-place Alfin Nyamasyo in 24:07 and 260th-place Maria Espinoza in 26:12.