The Grizzlies James Douglas is one of the top NCAA Division II multi event athletes. Douglas, who finished fifth in the long jump at the 2010 NCAA Championships after winning both that and the triple jump at the RMAC Championships, is a two-time All-American.

Mwei,

Douglas RMAC

preseason

selections



COLORADO SPRINGS — After winning both the NCAA Division II and Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference titles during the indoor season, the Adams State College men’s track and field team has been overwhelmingly picked to win the conference crown during the outdoor campaign as well, according to the RMAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

The Grizzlies, who begin search of their fourth straight and fifth RMAC Outdoor title in the last six years Saturday at the Tom Benich Classic to be hosted by the University of Northern Colorado at the Bears’ Nottingham Field, received all six possible first place points in the poll of the league’s seven head coaches, who were not allowed to vote for their own teams.

Chadron State received Grizzly coach Damon Martin’s first place vote and placed second in the poll with 12 points, twice as many as the Grizzlies. The Eagles, now coached by former Western State coach Ryan Baily, also took second behind the Grizzlies at the RMAC Indoor Championships.

Nebraska-Kearney, which finished third at the 2009 RMAC Outdoor Championships and in the same place during this year’s indoor campaign, was tabbed third with 15 points while Baily’s old team, which took second at the 2009 RMAC Outdoor Championships, was picked fourth with 22 points.

Colorado Mines, fifth with 25 points, Metro State (6th, 29 points) and UC-Colorado Springs (7th, 32 points) rounded out the poll.

The 10-member Preseason All-RMAC team was also announced in conjunction with the poll.

Grizzly seniors Reuben Mwei and James Douglas were named to that team.

Mwei, who won last year’s NCAA title in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and the 2009 NCAA Cross Country title this last fall, placed third in the mile and fourth in the 5,000 meters at the 2010 NCAA Division II Indoor Championships and is now a 9-time All-American. He also anchored the Grizzlies’ victorious distance medley relay team and won the 3,000 meters while placing second in the mile behind teammate Ryan McNiff at the 2010 RMAC Indoor Championships. Mwei was named as the co-athlete of the meet for his efforts.

Douglas, who finished fifth in the long jump at the 2010 NCAA Championships after winning both that and the triple jump at the RMAC Championships, where he scored a meet-high 34 points, is a 2-time All-American. He is pondering red-shirting during the 2010 outdoor campaign.

Joining Mwei and Douglas on the Preseason All-RMAC team was Metro State’s Anthony Luna, named as the Preseason Athlete of the Year, fellow Roadrunner Shawn Lindbom, Colorado Mines’ Mack McLain, Nebraska-Kearney’s Dane Tobey and Alex Paul, Chadron States Lenar Newman and Brandon Harrington and Western State’s Tyler Pennel.

The Grizzly women were also tabbed as the RMAC’s Preseason favorites and had three members selected to the Preseason All-RMAC team, including Preseason Athlete of the Year Indira Spence.