Throughout the 2018 season, the Colorado College men's cross country team had one singular goal, to take back the SCAC Championship from Trinity University.
 
The Tigers knew they would have to do it without 2017 SCAC Runner of the Year, Max Blackburn, but they didn't use that as a crutch.
 
As it turned out, CC did not capture the SCAC title, falling to Trinity by a mere six points, but with just two seniors on the squad the future is bright.
 
Junior Tony Calderon posted his third consecutive top-5 finish at the 2018 conference meet, finishing fourth, just ahead of fellow junior Jack Williams, who earned his second all-SCAC honor by placing fifth.
 
Joining Calderon and Williams on the all-SCAC team were senior David Eik (9^th), junior Adam Mahler (11^th), sophomore Paul Olsen (12^th) and freshman Josh Fry (13^th.) Eik is one of only 21 runners in the history of the conference to earn all-SCAC honors all four years, while Mahler earned the league's inaugural "Elite 19" award, presented to the all-conference performer with the highest GPA.
 
Olsen, meanwhile, earned his first all-West Region honor by outkicking Calderon for the 35^th and final spot as the Tigers put together an impressive sixth-place finish as a team after finishing 13^th the previous year.
 
Calderon was named the team's Most Valuable Runner as he led the team in four of the five meets in which he competed, including a season-best 8K time of 25:36 at the Charles Bowles Invite in Salem, Ore.
 
Eik, one of two seniors on the team along with Adam Holliday, ran in seven meets in his final season and posted a season-best 26:15 for a 43^rd-place finish at the West Region meet. Mahler also ran in seven meets, the maximum allowed for the season.
 
Fry, the SCAC Newcomer of the Year, and fellow freshman Sam Rodriguez also ran in seven meets during the season. Fry recorded a personal-best time of 26:51 at the Bowles Invitational, as did Rodriguez with a 27:38.
 
Thanks to a successful 2018 campaign, head coach Ted Castaneda is excited about the future.
 
"This team was much deeper in talent than we have seen in a very long time, and with almost everyone returning for next year, it is sure to be an exciting 2019 season." Castaneda said.
 
 
2018 Men's Cross Country Awards
Most Valuable Runner – Tony Calderon
Most Improved Runner – Adam Mahler and Paul Olsen
Rookie Award – Josh Fry
Most Inspirational Award – David Eik
SCAC All-Sportsmanship Team – Andrew West