Western State College's Lisa Thomas-Duits killed in single car accident

Very sorry to hear this.

Terribly sad news. I had the honor of presenting the women's steeple awards last spring at the NCAA II Championships, where Lisa was runner-up. Great kid. Humble, gracious, beautiful smile. My thoughts and prayers go out to Lisa's family and teammates.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Lisa's family and the WSC team in the midst of this tragedy. She was a great runner not only in the RMAC, but nationally as Mike Hillyard mentioned. Without a doubt I am sure the WSC team will compete with heavy hearts but also with a determination to honor Lisa through their efforts in the weeks ahead.

We lived through a tragedy like this last summer with the loss of one our own team members here at UCCS. It's an understatement to say words do not describe the feeling in your gut when you hear news like this as a teammate or a coach. It's just not something that you ever expect to happen to a young person. Life is precious.

I love Lisa she was my friend, my teamate. She had a lovely pure heart she helped me alot through my college running, steeplechase is our great event!am deeply saddened i love you Lisa and i will greatly miss you.Our heart felt wishes to Western State Crosscountry team from Texas A$M Corpus Christi team, we are together at this difficult times.

very sad news! Does anyone have any info ( articles, website) about this news?

my heart goes out to the family and friends :(

This is horrible news and Western will be hit hard by the loss of one of its best alumni and well loved team members. The running world is small and many will be affected by this tradgedy, I do hope that WSC can keep there chins up and keep up there good work through such a tough time.

This is heart breaking news. I'm stuck in the middle of the desert on a Marine excercise with no phone or access to social networks, and happened to stumble across this. My heart and prayers go out to family and friends of Lisa. She was the nicest person and my favorite girl on the team when I was at Western and she will truly be missed by all.

Thank you Shila, you will always be part of the big red machine, if only for being here so breifly.

When I came to WSC as a freshman, Lisa was only a sophomore. She had never posted anything close to amazing. She had come to WSC and had been one of the slowest girls and she had just started her climb to the top of the pack, so she understood the hardships of being a "back-packer". After work outs and tempos she'd ask how my splits were and would compare them to her previous seasons-- "right on track and even a bit ahead" she'd tell me. She kept getting better and better-- a true running hero, hardly any natural talent, but a fierce mentality that pushed her to the top. A couple days ago I was telling her that she better write a book once she makes it to the Olympics telling "back-packers" her secrets and how to keep hope even when other runners/teammates and even coaches don't believe in you. Lisa, was just amazing. Simply put, Lisa was a stud.

Sad news.

I hope Lisa will be remembered a long time and will keep inspiring the people who have known her.

i just met her 2 weeks ago very briefly. seemed like a nice bright young woman. what a tragedy, my heart goes out to her family.

I was lab partners with Lisa at CU boulder my freshman year and was touched by her love for life and ability to achieve all that she put her mind to. This horrible event should make us stronger, but it is such a shame that such a good person has been taken away from us. To her family, husband and other friends; my heart goes out to you. She will be forever missed. Lisa, you have been on my mind ever since this happened and I already miss you.

I only met Lisa briefly but my daughter who has been under her guidance as a red shirted freshman on the WSC Cross Country team never stopped talking about her as a mentor and inspiration. She along with her team mates and fellow coaches are devastated by her loss. After witnessing first hand the reaction to news of her loss, I can assure her family and friends she will never be forgotten.

for anyone interested......

http://www.wscathletics.com/news/2009/10/19/XC_1019094918.aspx?path=cross

She obviously was very bright, an honors student, a good athlete and well liked and a great role model. A sad, sad loss.

This is always hard news to hear. But, no one will ever forget her. I haven't forgotten Brendan Francis St. Denis or Michael Sean Roberts Jr.

A memorial service for Lisa will be held today, Oct. 20, at 4 p.m. in Paul Wright Gym at Western State College. Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, in Thornton, Colo.

was she related to Tom Duits, the great runner from Michigan, in the 70s?

yes - Tom is her father-in-law. She married Tom and Carrie's son Zach in September.