The Colorado School of Mines men's cross country team celebrates winning the 2024 NCAA Division II national title
The Colorado School of Mines men's cross country team celebrates winning the 2024 NCAA Division II national title. It's the team's second title in three years, and fourth title in 10 years. Credit: Sam Boender / Mines Athletics

The Colorado School of Mines men’s cross country team has secured its second national title in three years, reclaiming the top spot from Wingate in a down-to-the-wire 10K race.

Mines faced off against Wingate and dozens of other teams Nov. 23 at the NCAA Division II national championships in Sacramento, California.

Colorado School of Mines redshirt junior Ethan Grolnic, foreground, competes in the men's 10K race Nov. 23 at the NCAA Division II national championships in Sacramento, California
Colorado School of Mines redshirt junior Ethan Grolnic, foreground, competes in the men’s 10K race Nov. 23 at the NCAA Division II national championships in Sacramento, California. Grolnic placed ninth among all male runners, and the Mines men’s team placed first and claimed its fourth national title in 10 years. Credit: Sam Boender / Mines Athletics

The Orediggers trailed the Bulldogs through the 8.8K timecheck and only took the lead with less than 500 meters to go, according to Mines Athletics.

The Orediggers ultimately squeaked out the win, beating the reigning national champions 66-63. The next-closest team was Adams State at 113.

Mines runners Logan Bocovich, Loic Scomparin and Ethan Grolnic were crucial to the team’s win, as they placed seventh, eighth and ninth, respectively. This marks the first time in Mines history that three men had single-digit finishes.

Scomparin’s late rally from 31st place to eighth helped secure Mines’ fourth national title in 10 years.

The Orediggers also won in 2015, 2019 and 2022.

Of Mines’ five scoring runners, Paul Knight and Dawson Gunn also finished 21st and 25th, respectively.

Colorado School of Mines runners, in navy blue, ready themselves before the women's 6K race Nov. 23 at the NCAA Division II national championships in Sacramento, California
Colorado School of Mines runners, in navy blue, ready themselves before the women’s 6K race Nov. 23 at the NCAA Division II national championships in Sacramento, California. The Mines women’s team took fifth place. Credit: Sam Boender / Mines Athletics

Meanwhile, the Mines women’s team took fifth place, with lead runner Jenna Ramsey-Rutledge claiming the bronze medal for her individual third-place finish. This is the best national finish by a female runner in program history, and Ramsey-Rutledge is only the third Oredigger woman to finish in the national Top 10.

Emily LaMena, Mines’ second runner, took 57th place in her nationals debut. Rounding out the scoring runners, Grace Strongman took 63rd; Lexi Herr, 70th; and Imani Fernandez-Gorbea, 75th.

On Nov. 25, Ramsey-Rutledge and six Mines men were named All-Americans for finishing in the Top 40 of their respective races.

However, the Orediggers can’t afford to rest on their individual or team laurels, as they now transition to the indoor track season. The teams will kick off their winter season Dec. 6-7, splitting their time between their own Alumni Classic and a meet in Boston.

For more information on the Colorado School of Mines cross country and/or track teams, visit MinesAthletics.com.

Click through additional courtesy photos from the Nov. 23 national meet:

  • Colorado School of Mines redshirt senior Jenna Ramsey-Rutledge, far right, competes in the women's 6K race Nov. 23 at the NCAA Division II national championships
    Colorado School of Mines redshirt senior Jenna Ramsey-Rutledge, far right, competes in the women’s 6K race Nov. 23 at the NCAA Division II national championships in Sacramento, California. Ramsey-Rutledge placed third among all female runners, and the Mines women’s team placed fifth. Credit: Sam Boender / Mines Athletics
  • Colorado School of Mines redshirt junior Imani Fernandez-Gorbea, right, competes in the women's 6K race Nov. 23 at the NCAA Division II national championships in Sacramento, California
    Colorado School of Mines redshirt junior Imani Fernandez-Gorbea, right, competes in the women’s 6K race Nov. 23 at the NCAA Division II national championships in Sacramento, California. Fernandez-Gorbea took 75th place, and the Mines women’s team placed fifth. Credit: Sam Boender / Mines Athletics
  • On Nov. 23, members of the Colorado School of Mines men's cross country team celebrate winning the NCAA Division II national championship.
    On Nov. 23, members of the Colorado School of Mines men’s cross country team celebrate winning the NCAA Division II national championship. They won their second national title in three years, and fourth in 10 years. Credit: Sam Boender / Mines Athletics
  • The Colorado School of Mines men's cross country team celebrates winning the 2024 NCAA Division II national title
    The Colorado School of Mines men’s cross country team celebrates winning the 2024 NCAA Division II national title. It’s the team’s second title in three years, and fourth title in 10 years. Credit: Sam Boender / Mines Athletics

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