Catamounts Open 2026 with Strong Performances at Duel in the Valley

Bryson City, N.C. – Western Carolina cross country split its season-opening Duel in the Valley on Friday afternoon at the Kituwah Mound trail. The men’s squad claimed a narrow team victory over mountain rival UNC Asheville, while the women’s team put two inside the top five in falling to the Bulldogs. The Catamount men placed five runners inside the top 10 to finish with 31 total points to edge UNC Asheville with 33 points in the 6K race. Western Carolina was led by senior Alex Ruge, who claimed the individual victory by clocking in at 19:12.2. Matthias Peterson followed in…