Entering the sports bar of the Ram Restaurant and Brewery yesterday at 8:30 a.m. was like walking into Husky Stadium 30 minutes prior to kickoff. Everybody was hidden under layers of purple and gold and cheers of “H-U-S-K-I-E-S” were being led from one end of the room to the other.

There was one distinguishable trait that separated these fans from those at a Washington football game, however. These supporters were actually confident that the Dawgs were going to win.

Overflowing with smiles and laughter, the room was filled so tightly that the sound of shattering glass could regularly be heard as waiters and waitresses struggled to deliver drinks and other orders to the Husky faithful.

No matter, though. Nothing could dampen the mood of this dedicated crowd.

They set aside their entire morning to cheer on the Husky cross country teams as the runners were set to compete in the NCAA Championships held in Terre Haute, Ind.

“It’s so exciting to come here to watch and support the teams,” said Maryann Emery, a longtime Husky fan. “They’re such an incredible group and they rarely run in Seattle, so it’s great to see them on television.”

She wasn’t the only one who was excited to see the UW cross country teams compete on television.

Sudden screams made anyone who wasn’t paying attention to one of the many televisions in the room jump. Apparently, one of the announcers had just mentioned something about the UW. From that moment on, you could feel the anticipation looming in the air.

Former Husky runner and 1966 graduate Murray McCord attended the event with his wife, Jennifer, who was donning her husband’s college letterman jacket. The couple smiled from ear-to-ear as the television analysts spoke briefly of freshman Kendra Schaaf and the women’s team.

Then the race began.

The entire room roared as the women started off. The No. 1 Huskies appeared set to win the National Championship and the fans knew it — when the race was on, the room was hushed; it was only to break during commercials.

But to the dismay of the group, the television network focused the camera solely on the leader of the pack, Sally Kipyego of Texas Tech.

After she crossed the finish line, the program went to a commercial break — the group was naturally upset.

The Huskies received nearly zero attention on screen.

But out of the corner of the Ram came a joyous scream.

“We won!” the voice screeched.

One of the runners had just called in an update. The women had just earned the first national title in the program’s history.

The room exploded. With people jumping out of seats and yelling, one would have been hard-pressed to escape a high-five or hug.

Then after the men’s race — in which the UW men’s cross country team finished 18th overall — the season officially ended.

Amanda Stopa, a UW runner who didn’t make the trip to Terre Haute, was one of the last to leave the Ram.

“I’m just so proud of everyone,” Stopa said. “They’re just so phenomenal.”

Reach reporter Ben Foutz at sports@dailyuw.com.