SALT LAKE CITY - The Nevada men and women finished a packed regional race and their last competition of the cross country season in Salt Lake City.
 
The day was perfect for racing with minimal winds, unlimited sunshine and a warmer than usual climate for northern Utah.
 
First-up was the Nevada women who raced the 6k championship at 10 a.m. PT. Sophomore, Alexis Melendrez, took first for Nevada after a strong effort with a time of 22:06 and 87th place. Next came senior, Katarina Stashyn, who finished her collegiate cross country career with a time of 22:42 and 106th place overall. Third for Nevada was freshman, Erika Robtoy, finishing in 22:56.1 and 113th place. She narrowly passed junior, Lauryn Massic, who finished at 22:56.4. At the finish, BYU, New Mexico and Air Force came out in the top three teams. Overall the women placed 19th in the packed Mountain region.
 
The Nevada men raced their first competitive 10k and the final race of their debut season following the women at 11 a.m. PT. Freshman, Adam Sjolund, who regularly leads the pack finished first for Nevada at 33:25 and 95th place. Behind him was Massimiliano Swenson, also a freshman, who finished with a time of 34:04 and 113th place. In a striking performance, junior, Ed Bueso, who typically places farther back on the men's team, placed third for Nevada at 34:29 and 118th place. In the end, Northern Arizona, Colorado and BYU took the top three team spots. Overall, the men placed 18th out of 19 schools beating out Montana.
 
The NCAA Mountain Region Championships concludes Nevada 2019 cross country's season.
 
"This team could look a lot different a year from now," said head coach Kirk Elias regarding the women's team. After a depleted team battling injury and illness and redshirts for most of the top five coach Elias said, " Everyone knows we're going to change things for next year."
 
When Elias was asked about the Nevada men's debut season and first 10k he said," I admired their fight, I admired their commitment to stay with it."
 
To keep up with Nevada cross country visit nevadawolfpack.com