GUNNISON, Colo.— Redshirt sophomore Ethan Abbs led the Colorado Mesa University men's cross country team for the first time in his career, taking second overall with an 8-kilometer time of 26:04.5 on Saturday morning here at the Mountaineer/Cowboy Invite.
 
Redshirt senior Tony Torres, one of the most decorated Mavs in the cross country and track & field program's history also finished well, placing third in 26:06.3 while Triston Charles took eighth in 26;22.2.
 
As a team, the Mavericks finished second behind the nation's ninth-ranked and host Mountaineers, who had the other five top-8 finishers to record a team score of 23 points.  CMU had 36 in the dual meet, which included 50 total runners.
 
Western's Simon Kelati won the race in 25:59.0.
 
CMU's No. 4 finisher was redshirt freshman Kevin Degree, wearing a Maverick uniform for the first time in competition.  He finished 14^th overall and 11^th amongst team scorers in 26:48.7 while redshirt sophomore Peter Martin was just one place behind in 27:12.4 to round out the Mavs' team score.
 
Chase Brown led a group of unattached runners on the Maverick roster, finishing 18^th and well within the top half in 27:48.4.
 
Saturday's meet, which was held around the Gunnison Middle School, was CMU's season-opener.
 
The Maverick women also had a solid performance later in the morning as Kira MacGill claimed the individual win on a 5K course.
 
Both Maverick teams will return to action on Oct. 8, hosting the Gig Leadbetter Maverick Stampede at the Lincoln Park Golf Course.