Celedonio Rodriguez and Matt Levassiur of Adams State finished 1-2 in the men’s 10,000-meter run to give the Grizzlies the lead after the first day of the NCAA Division II national championships in Abilene, Texas.
The Adams State women also are in first place, thanks to Stephanie Bylander’s second- place effort and Beth Merrick’s fifth place in the women’s 10,000. Shannon Payne of Colorado-Colorado Springs finished eighth.
The Adams State women have 20 points, two ahead of Cal State-Bakersfield.
The Adams State men have 23 points, 12 ahead of Abilene Christian.
Adams State also got points from Nicole Goosby (fourth) and TiaNiecia Mosley (eighth) in the long jump.
In the decathlon, Western State’s Brad Koschel is in sixth place after the first day. Michael Mays of Adams State is seventh.
AFA’s Buck ousted
Air Force junior Shannon Buck is out of the NCAA men’s tennis championships in College Station, Texas, after losing 6-3, 6-2 to Izak van der Merwe of Old Dominion on Thursday in the round of 32. Buck (26-3) had his 18-match winning streak snapped.
Thornton coach departs
Thornton High School soccer coach Chris Holcom is leaving to become the men’s and women’s soccer coach at Western Nebraska Community College.
Holcom began coaching at Westminster High School in 1982 and also coached at Wheat Ridge before moving to Thornton. He graduated from Ranum and played two years at Metro State.
CC’s Abel honored
Attacker Cassie Abel of Colorado College was named to the Division III women’s lacrosse team in a vote by coaches. Abel led the Tigers to the national semifinals.
