Where good news shines

Colorado Mesa women’s hoops is the team to beat in the RMAC.

Mesa was picked to win the league in a preseason poll released Tuesday. The Mavericks were the top pick of seven of the league’s 15 coaches, who could not vote for their own team.

UCCS picked up three first-place votes and was picked second. CSU Pueblo got three first-place votes and was picked to finish third.

Mesa went from 13-16 in 2022-23 to 25-7 last season with coach Taylor Wagner. The Mavericks return four starters, including RMAC Player of the Year Olivia Reed, a junior from Windsor. They also return RMAC Freshman of the Year Mason Rowland, a sophomore from Durango.

The RMAC season begins Nov. 8.

RMAC women’s basketball coaches’ poll

1. Colorado Mesa (7 first-place votes) (187 points)

2. UCCS (3) (170)

3. CSU Pueblo (3) (160)

4. Adams State (1) (153)

5. Colorado School of Mines (152)

6. Regis (1) (150)

7. MSU Denver (107)

8. Colorado Christian (103)

9. Black Hills State (94)

10. Western Colorado (77)

11. South Dakota Mines (60)

12. Fort Lewis (52)

13. Chadron State (45)

14. New Mexico Highlands (36)

15. Westminster (29)

(“Colorado Sunshine” celebrates the good news in sports. Suggestions are encouraged through sports editor Paul Klee at [email protected].)