GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.— Colorado Mesa University Director of Cross County/Track & Field
Travis Floeck has announced the addition of a dozen distance and mid-distance runners to the 2025-26 Maverick rosters.
The group includes six men and six women, including two transfers, and is part of the overall Maverick track & field recruiting class being introduced by event group.
Ten of the new additions will also be on the Mavs' cross country rosters this fall.
"This class of distance and middle distance student-athletes exceeded my vision in this first year," Floeck said after being hired at CMU in the summer of 2024 after that year's recruiting cycle.
In his first year, the Maverick women's cross country team qualified for the NCAA Championships for the first time in a decade.
"They all align with the culture of our program in a big way. This is a group that is tough, gifted, and is unafraid to dream big," Floeck added about the group, which represents four Western states, including Colorado, while also including runners from Canada and Greece.
Canadian
Maya Kobylanski will re-unite with Floeck for a sixth and final year of collegiate eligibility after running for Floeck at Idaho, where she was a former Big Sky Conference champion in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and bronze medalist at the Big Sky Cross Country meet.
Vasilas Salpas, won the Greek National Indoor title in the 800 meters earlier this year and has also won two national titles at the U20 level while representing his country at Balkan and European Championships.
The other transfer is
Keira King, who redshirted at RMAC rival and NCAA Division II distance running power Adams State in 2024-25. The Leadville, Colorado native was a high school state champion at Lake County in the 1,600 meters as a junior in 2023.
Meanwhile, Rangely's
James Talbot won the boys' title in that event as a junior in 2024.
The group also includes two Oregon natives in
Clayton Wilson and
Daisy Lalonde who won a combined 14 state titles in their impressive prep careers. Lalonde also went on to take 11
th in the 5K at the Nike Outdoor Nationals track & field meet last month.
"We have a strong team returning on both sides in cross country," Floeck added.
"Maya and Daisy can also make immediate contributions in cross country to getting that team back to the national meet and climb the rankings and we have freshmen on the men's side who can also step in and give us depth and more firepower."
"Vasilas has already ran a mark that would have qualified for the national meet in the 800m with his 1:49.07 and he is still just 17 years of age. I can't wait to work with all of them," Floeck said.
The list of new Maverick runners includes:
Men
Women
*-Also on CMU Cross Country Roster
Full biographies on each new Maverick can be found below.
Stay tuned to
www.cmumavericks.com for details on the other Maverick recruits.
MEN'S BIOGRAPHIES
Kael Jex (5-9, Distance, Big Bear, Calif./Big Bear HS)
Prep: 2025 graduate of Big Bear High School… Was a 6-time All-CIF performer for the Bears and Coach Jonathan Stiles… Also earned an all-state honor… Finished ninth in the 1600 in the CIF Southern Section Finals as a senior… Set a PR time of 4:21.84 to take fifth as a sophomore in 2023… Won the Cross Valley League title in 2025… Placed eighth at the 2014 CIF Southern Section Finals… Won the Cross Valley League cross country title in each of the last three years… Took 12
th at the CIF Southern Section Championships as a senior in 2024… Had also placed 17
th at the Mt. SAC Invitational… Finished eighth at the CIF Southern Section Championships in 2023… Also finished eighth in 2022 before going on to finish 29
th at the CIF State Championships… Graduated with high honors.
Personal: Is majoring in civil engineering… Aspires to become an officer in the United States Navy… Son of Kerri and Kendall Jex… Has an older sibling— Kyle… Loves pottery and music.
Why I Chose CMU: "I have teammates from high school who are currently at CMU. And who can pass up living in Colorado?"
Dominick Muller (5-9, Fr., Distance, Chandler, Ariz./Hamilton HS)
Prep: 2025 graduate of Hamilton High School… Finished tenth in the 3200 meters at the AIA State Championships as a senior with a PR time of 9:16.58… Placed third at the Division I Championships a week prior… Took second in the 800 and fourth in the 1600 at the Chandler City Championships setting PR times of 2:03.78 and 4:22.55 in those events during his 2025 senior season… Placed fourth at the AIA State Cross Country Championships as a senior in the fall of 2024… Had a 5K PR time of 15:15.70 to finish fifth at the Chandler City Championships… Took seventh at the AIA Sectionals… Went on to finish 96
th at the Nike Cross Southwest Regional.
Personal: Is majoring in construction management… Wants to go into a management position at a construction company following graduation and after a few years, open his own company with his friend Zach.
Why I Chose CMU: "It gives me a unique opportunity for my major and also gives me a good opportunity to run under Coach Travis (Floeck)."
Vasilas Salpas (6-2, Mid-Distance, Athens, Greece/ Ellinogermaniki Agogi)
World Athletics Profile Page
European Athletics Profile
Prep: 2025 graduate of Ellinogermaniki Agogi… Set a PR time of 1:49.07 in the 800 meters, placing fourth at the Greek Spring Championships in June, 2025… Set an indoor PR of 1:52.90 at the Balkan U20 Championships in February, 2025… Also set a 1,500 meter PR of 3:53.34 that month… Won the 800 meters at the 2025 Greek Indoor National Championships… Also won the 2025 U20 national championship after taking second at the U18 level in 2024… Won the 1,500 meters at the 2025 Greek U20 outdoor championships… Finished second in the National High School Championships in 2024… Placed fifth in the World Gymnasidade that year… Was 15
th at the U18 European Championships in 2024 as well… Distinguished in the Panhellenic Physics Competitions "Aristotle"… Graduated with honors through middle school and high school.
Personal: Is majoring in electrical and computer engineering… Aspires to manage his own electrical and computer engineering company and to apply the skills he learns through his college education to promote societal growth… Son of Antonios Salpas and Fani Vasilaki… Has two siblings— Petros & Katerina… Enjoys track & field, chess, swimming and ping pong.
Why I Chose CMU: "I chose CMU, because it's a unique university that offers a great campus experience in a wonderful environment with close-knit faculty student interactions. Additionally, it offers a robust electrical and computer engineering program. Finally, it gives me the opportunity to be a member of an amazing track and field team that will help me improve athletically."
James Talbot (5-11, Distance, Rangely, Colo./Rangely HS)
Prep: 2025 graduate of Rangely High School… Ran for the Panthers and Coach Beth Scoggins… Placed third in the 1600 and fourth in the 800 at the 2A State Track & Field Championships as a senior… Set PR time of 1:55.74 and 4:24.71 in those events… Won six events throughout the season… Placed tenth at the state cross country championships in the fall of 2024… Was second at the Region 5 Championships… Went on to set a PR time of 16:24.84 en route to a 17
th place finish at the Nike Cross Southwest Regional… Took sixth at the state cross country meet after winning the regional title as a junior in the fall of 2023… Placed 15
th at that year's NXR Southwest Regional… Won the 1600 state title while taking third in the 3200 as a junior in the spring of 2024… Won the Western Slope League title in both the 1600 and 3200… Set a PR time of 9:56.69 in the 3200 as a sophomore before winning both conference titles in both of those events… Was a state qualifier in both cross country and track in all four years of his career… Was a 2-time Cross Country Academic All-State First Team member… Also earned that honor for track in 2024… Earned a wide variety of academic honors and was a Daniels Fund Scholar in 2025… Also qualified for FLBA Nationals as a senior and was a 2-time state qualifier.
Personal: Is majoring in pre-electrical and computer engineering… Is also interested in computer science and could see working in aerospace or tech on something hands-on and innovative… Wants to build things that make a difference… Son of Reuben and Stephanie Talbot… Has three siblings— Jasmine, Rhys and Carden… Outside of running, was involved in FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), drama and church youth group… Is also a youth representative for the local Main Street program and is a licensed FAA drone operator… Enjoys tech-related activities, being outdoors and hanging out with friends.
Why I Chose CMU: "I chose Colorado Mesa University because it felt like the right fit for me both academically and athletically. The campus had a great energy when I visited, and the coaching staff made me feel welcome and supported right away. I'm excited to study engineering in a strong program while also being part of a team where I can continue growing as a runner. It's a place where I can push myself and still feel at home."
Colton White (5-6, Fr., Distance, Aurora, Colo./Grandview HS)
Prep: 2025 graduate of Grandview High School… Was an all-state performer in cross country as a senior in the fall of 2024… Finished tenth at the state meet after taking second at the Centennial League Championships and third at the 5A Region 1 Championships… Set a 5K XC PR time of 15:18 while finishing fifth at the Liberty Bell Invitational… Took tenth in the 3,200 and 17
th in the 1,600 at the 2025 state track meet… Had PR times of 4:17.82 and 9:22.32 that year… Won three league titles in his career… Was also a 4-time academic letterwinner… Was a 3-time AP Scholar with distinction… Also won the school's exceptional student, science achievement and outstanding achievement in mathematics awards.
Personal: Is majoring in cellular, molecular and developmental biology… Son of Denis and Christina White… Wants to work in the medical field but also has a strong interest in physical therapy and athletic training.
Why I Chose CMU: "I absolutely loved Grand Junction, and how close it was to the mountains. Being there just made me want to run. The campus was amazing and everyone was incredibly nice. I really felt that Coach Travis valued each and every one of his athletes and wanted to see all of them excel in the sport. Seeing his individualized training plans for each of his runners made me realize how much time and effort he was willing to put in as a coach. The excellent coaching staff along with a supportive team made me feel like Mesa was a place where I would be able to properly develop as an athlete while simultaneously earning a valuable degree."
Clayton Wilson (5-9, Fr., Distance, Gardiner, Ore./Siuslaw HS)
Prep: 2025 graduate of Siuslaw High School… Won six state titles and set seven school and two state records for the Vikings and Coach Chris Johnson in his prep career… Won the 1,500 and 3,000 meter titles in his 2025 senior track & field season… Set PR times of 3:57.59 and 8:28.89 earlier in the season… Had an 800 PR time of 1:54.57 that year as well… Won eight times as a senior… Also won the district and state cross country titles in the fall of 2024… Went on to take 24
th at the NXR Northwest Regional Championship… Had a XC 5K PR time of 14:58.40.
Personal: Is majoring in kinesiology… Son of Matt and Emily Wilson… Has a sister Elsbeth… Wants to work for a river guide company… Enjoys fishing, running and outdoor activities.
Why I Chose CMU: "The coach is cool."
WOMEN'S BIOGRAPHIES
Elizabeth Boice (5-7, Distance, Boise, Idaho/Boise HS)
Prep: 2025 graduate of Boise High School… Ran for Coach Aaron Olswanger and the Brave.. Set PR times of 5:24.50 (1600) and 11:53.53 (3200) during her 2025 senior track season… Placed 43
rd at the state cross country meet as a senior in the fall of 2024 after finishing 26
th as a junior (2023) and 36
th as a sophomore (2022).. Had a PR time of 19:00 at the Rose City Championship Invite in 2024.
Personal: Is majoring in pre-nursing… Plans to work as an emergency room nurse to help people.
Why I Chose CMU: "I chose CMU because it's the perfect place for me to focus on both athletics and academics. They have an excellent nursing program and a strong running team, which makes it a great fit for me."
Maggie Bush (5-7, Fr., Distance, Greeley, Colo./Windsor HS)
Prep: 2025 graduate of Windsor High School… Was a member of the Wizards' state runner-up track and field team in 2024 and 2025… Coached by Trent Mack… Was on the Wizards' state championship runner-up 4x400-meter relay team in 2022 and 2023… Also earned all-state honors in that event in 2025… Helped the Wizards win the cross country regional title in 2023… Set track PRs of 2:23.09 (800) and 5:30.65 (1600) during her 2025 senior season… Was an academic letter recipient and a National Honor Society member.
State runner up girls track team 2024 and 2025, state runner up 4x4 team 2022 and 2023, girls cross country regional champions 2023, all state 4x4 team 2025, academic letter recipient and National Honor Society member.
Personal: Is majoring in kinesiology/K-12 education… Wants to become an elementary school physical education teacher… Daughter of Kelly and Jason Bush… Has three siblings— Mackenzie, Abby and Jackson… Sister Abby plays soccer at Northern Colorado… Loves to do anything outdoors, especially biking, hiking, swimming, running, paddle boarding, hammocking, playing pickleball, tennis and more… Also likes to read books and make healthy meals.
Why I Chose CMU: "I chose CMU because of the beautiful campus and I also liked that it was in state and close to home but also a new place I haven't spent much time in."
Keira King (5-7, R-Fr., Distance, Leadville, Colo./Adams State/Lake County HS)
Before CMU: Was a redshirt on the national power Adams State roster during the 2024-25 academic year… Ran unattached at two home indoor meets, posting a time of 5:57.02 in the mile.
Prep: 2024 graduate of Lake County High School… Place seventh in the 3200 and 12
th in the 1600 as a senior at the 2024 state championships… Finished second in both the 800 and 1600 at the Frontier League Championships that year… Won the Frontier League and 2A Region 4 Championships during the 2023 fall cross country season before finishing sixth at the state meet in her senior year… Won the state title in the 1600 while placing second in the 3200 as a junior at the 2023 state track meet… Set PR times of 5:20.36 and 11:49.62 to do so.
Personal: Is majoring in exercise science… Aspires to become a physical therapist and to build a career where she can make a difference by helping people heal and get stronger so they are able to reach their goals.
Why I Chose CMU: "I chose Colorado Mesa University because I loved the campus and felt a strong sense of community when I visited. The school offers great opportunities for both academics and athletics, and I was especially excited about the chance to run in college."
Maya Kobylanski (5-5, R-Sr., Distance, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada/Idaho/Southridge School)
Idaho Bio Page
Idaho TFRRS Career Results Page
Before CMU: Re-unites with Maverick Director of Cross Country/Track & Field
Travis Floeck after running for him and the Vandals at the University of Idaho… Qualified for the Division I Outdoor Track & Field regional meet in 2022 after winning the Big Sky Conference 3K Steeplechase title… Went on to claim the bronze at the Big Sky Cross Country Championships that fall.
Idaho Cross Country Year-by-Year Highlights
2024: Ran in three meets, placing fifth at the LC State Invite to highlight the season… Finished 80
th at the NCAA West Regional Meet.
2023: Redshirt season.
2022: Ran in four meets, recording a win at the LC State Invite with a 5K XC PR of 16:35… Went on to claim the bronze medal at the Big Sky Conference Championships (16:37.4) before setting a 6K PR time of 20:16.9 to finish 50
th at the NCAA West Regional Championships.
2021: Had two top-10 finishes during the regular season, placing second in the Clash of the Inland Northwest with a 4K PR time of 14:21.3 and eighth at the Inland Empire Championships before going on to a 57
th place finish at the Big Sky Championships.
2020-21: Recorded a pair of top-10 finishes in October and February meets before taking 36
th at the Big Sky Winter XC Championships during the COVID-modified 2020-21 cross country season.
Idaho Track & Field Year-by-Year Highlights
2025: Ran the 800 and 1,500 meter events… Set a career-best 800 time of 2:18.42 to place 22
nd at the Big Sky Conference Championships… Had a time of 4:49.37 in the 1500 at the Washington State Cougar Classic.
2024: Ran the 1,500 meters in two meets, posting a season-best time of 4:37.57 at the Oregon State High Performance.
2023: Redshirt season.
2022: Ran in five meets, contesting the 1,500 and 3K Steeplechase events during her most successful season… Won the Big Sky title in the steeplechase with a time of 10:23.33… Set a career-best time of 10:18.81 to take eighth at the Mt. SAC Relays… Set a career-best time of 4:22.73 in the 1500 at the Oregon State High Performance meet… Ranks sixth in the Vandals' record book with both of her career best times.
2021: Ran in six meets, splitting time between the 1,500 and 3K Steeplechase disciplines… Ran the steeplechase at the Big Sky Championships, placing 13
th… Won that event at the Buc Scoring Invite… Set a season-best time of 10:58.95 to take second at the Sacramento State Open… Had a season-best time of 4:37.79 to take third in the 1500 at the Whitworth Essential Invite.
Prep: 2020 graduate of Southridge School… Finished third at the 2019 Canadian Cross Country Championships… Was third (2017) and fourth (2018) in the steeplechase at the Canadian Youth Track & Field Championships… Won the South Fraser Regional Cross Country titles in both 2018 and 2019 before taking second (2019) and third (2018) at the British Columbia provincial championships… Recorded a 2017 win and three straight top 3 finishes in the steeplechase at the British Columbia High School Championships… Also recorded two third place finishes (2017, 2018) in the 3K at that meet.
Personal: Is majoring in business… Plans to go on to attend physical therapy school after her time at CMU.
Why I Chose CMU: "I chose CMU to continue training under Coach Travis (Floeck) and compete in the NCAA for one final year. I also loved the team culture and the scenery in Grand Junction."
Daisy Lalonde (5-8, Distance, Brownsville, Ore./East Linn Christian Academy)
Prep: 2025 graduate of East Linn Christian Academy… Was coached by Kellen Peters… Won state track titles in both the 1,500 and 3,000 meters in three straight years from 2023-25… Was second in the 3K and third in the 1500 as a freshman in 2022… Won the cross country state title as a sophomore (2022) and senior (2024) while finishing second as a junior (2023) and third as a freshman (2021)… Won the 2A District 2 cross country title and was named as the district runner of the year in all four years… Also swept the district titles in the 1,500 and 3K throughout her prep career and was named as the district female athlete of the year twice… Also qualified for the state track & field meet in the pole vault in 2023, 2024, 2025, placing third as a senior… Set the Eagles' school records of 4:40.01 (1500) and 10:01.01 (3k) during her senior season… Also holds the school records in the 5K, cross country, one and two miles and the distance medley relay… Placed 11
th at the Nike Outdoor Nationals meet in June, 2025 with a 5K time of 17:22.61… Was the cross country captain for two years and the team captain of the Eagle track team as a senior.
Personal: Is majoring in civil engineering… Would like to become a land surveyor or have a related career in the timber industry… Daughter of Ben and Renee Lalonde… Has one younger sibling— Morgan… Loves cooking, baking, listening to music, playing guitar, collecting stickers and organizing things… Raises cattle at home on a small farm… Feels at home in the outdoors, hiking, running, hunting, camping, and most of all shooting sports!
Why I Chose CMU: "I chose CMU because of the gorgeous landscape in Grand Junction, many running trails, a great engineering partnership program and mostly because of a great coach! When I visited the university in January, I felt really at home, and loved the town. The teammates I met were also super sweet and I can't wait to get to know everyone!!!
Sofia Voss (5-7, Fr., Mid-Distance, Durango, Colo./Durango HS)
Prep: 2025 graduate of Durango High School… Ran for the Demons and Coach Michael Fadil… Helped the Demons to qualify the state championship meet in the 4x400 and 4x800-meter relays in each of the last two years… Placed tenth at the state meet in the 1600 and 13
th in the 800 as a sophomore in 2023 after winning Southwestern League titles in both of those events that year… Also helped the Demons place second at the 4A state meet as a freshman in 2022… Placed 30
th at the 4A state cross country meet as a junior in the fall of 2023 after taking second at the Region 5 meet… Finished fourth at the region meet in 2022 to help the Demons win the team title for the second straight year… Went on to take 29
th at the state meet… Also placed 30
th as a freshman to earn the first of three straight honorable mention all-state honors in cross country… Set PR times of 2:18.26 (800), 5:07.65 (1600) and 18:46.90 (XC-5K) in 2023.
Personal: Is majoring in social work and political science… Aspires to have a career in social policy to create meaningful change that protects human rights… Daughter of Marie Voss-Patterson and Jeremy Voss… Has one younger sibling— Caden… Enjoys running, camping, writing, exploring in the mountains and desert and traveling.
Why I Chose CMU: "I chose CMU for its welcoming community, strong student support and positive community. Its location offers easy access to the outdoor adventures, allowing me to stay active and pursue my passions. CMU's accredited social work program aligns with my goals of helping people, provides hands on learning and ethical training to prepare me for a meaningful career."
